The Beauty of Kalanchoe: 41 Unique Varieties to Admire

‘Aurora Borealis’

	botanical name Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi ‘Variegata’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-12

Known as Tricolor Lavender Scallops, ‘Aurora Borealis’ features scalloped blue-green and white leaves with pink edges, forming elegant rosettes. This variety blooms in late spring or summer, displaying coral-colored bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

‘Beach Bells’

Beach Bells

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe manginii
	Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	Hardiness Zones 10-12

Beach Bells, a winner of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, boasts long arching stems with vibrant green leaves that turn a red hue in the sun. Its branches bloom with clusters of red, bell-shaped flowers in late winter, adding a colorful touch to any garden.

Beauverd’s ‘Widow’s Thrill’

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe beauverdii ‘Widow’s Thrill’
	Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	Hardiness Zones 9-11

Beauverd’s ‘Widow’s Thrill’ is a climbing kalanchoe variation characterized by its grayish-green stems and diverse leaf shapes. The plant develops a deeper brown coloration as it matures and produces inconspicuous green flowers in spring, adding subtle beauty to its appearance.

‘Blooming Boxes’

The Kalanchoe prolifera plant, known as ‘Blooming Boxes’, showcases beautiful bell-shaped flowers similar to many other kalanchoes. This species is truly unique with its succulent purple stems and fleshy leaves that boast striking purple and jagged edges. The bright green leaves are petiolate and pinnatisect, creating a stunning visual display.

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe prolifera
	Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	Hardiness Zones 9-11

Standing tall at up to 6 feet, ‘Blooming Boxes’ features bright green leaves growing in pairs, creating a captivating geometric formation. These leaves develop a reddish-purple hue at their petioles and margins when exposed to bright light, adding a touch of elegance to the plant.

Known for its slow maturation, ‘Blooming Boxes’ may take a few years before producing its stunning bell-shaped blooms. Once it flowers, the plant becomes a showstopper with 3-foot-tall panicles adorned with clusters of green and coral blooms. Although the plant starts to decline after blooming, it produces offsets generously, ensuring a continuous cycle of new growth.

‘Brown Dwarf’

The Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Brown Dwarf’ is a compact species known for its dense rosette of large, deeply dissected leaves covered in a soft velvet texture. The leaves transition from green to a stunning golden-bronze color, creating a striking visual contrast in any garden setting.

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Brown Dwarf’
	Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade

	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones Zone 10-15

The Felt Leaf Plant or Velvet Leaf Plant, also known as Kalanchoe beharensis, distinguishes itself with its soft velvety textured leaves. It is a sizable species akin to a small tree. While the ‘Brown Dwarf’ variety remains compact, it can grow up to 12 feet tall in its natural climate zones.

With deeply dissected leaves covered in soft brown velvet, ‘Brown Dwarf’ forms loose rosettes with leaves growing in pairs at right angles. This species only blooms once mature and only once throughout its lifespan, after which it begins to decline, with offsets taking its place.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Calandiva’ is a popular flowering succulent species, commonly found in nurseries, hardware stores, and supermarkets. Winter showcases its long-lasting blooms best, making it a favorite during this season.

A hybrid of blossfeldiana, ‘Calandiva’ is noted for its vibrant blooms. It is prized for ornamental purposes, especially during winter when most flowering plants are inactive. Adorned with shiny, fleshy green leaves, the plant’s true highlight is its colorful flowers.

Mostly in orange, yellow, and red hues, ‘Calandiva’ typically sports double-petaled blooms resembling small roses, making it an excellent holiday hostess gift.

Cathedral Bells

	Botanical Name: Kalanchoe pinnata
	Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
	Hardiness Zones: 10-11

Chandelier Plant

	Botanical Name: Kalanchoe delagoensis
	Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade

The kalanchoe variety Chandelier is known for its prolific spreading trait. Resembling Cathedral bells, it produces numerous small plantlets along the serrated edges of its leaves. Sporting tall, slender stems and long, slim leaves that turn a lovely purple when the plant is thriving.

To contain its invasiveness, it’s recommended to grow the Chandelier Plant in a container, unless you desire an entire bed of these plants.

Despite its somewhat delicate appearance, the Chandelier Plant’s flowers are striking. Towering flower spikes adorned with abundant coral-colored clusters steal the spotlight.

‘Chocolate Soldier’

	botanical name Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-11

The tomentosa species boasts a notable fuzzy leaf covering. These fine hairs act as a shield against harsh sunlight and heat, enabling them to thrive in full sun yet prefer bright, indirect light.

Characterized by soft sage green to copper-toned leaves with deep brown edging, ‘Chocolate Soldier’ exhibits a loose rosette growth pattern resembling bunny ears.

While these plants infrequently bloom, their flowering occurs in summer, featuring tall flower spikes topped with yellow flower clusters.

Christmas Tree Plant

Botanical Name Kalanchoe lacinata Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade Hardiness Zones 10-11 A fun kalanchoe species resembling a Christmas tree with tall triangular shape, bright green stems, pointed leaves, and a thick central stem, loving heat and sun. Lacinata doesn’t tolerate cold, rewarding with clusters of bright yellow star-shaped flowers in winter-spring. It propagates easily through offsets on its leaves, being a breeze to grow. Kalanchoe ‘Compacta’ Botanical Name Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi ‘Compacta’ Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade Hardiness Zones 10-11 ‘Compacta’ is a compact variant of K. fedtschenkoi, known as Lavender Scallops, featuring compact, upright rosette leaf formation with pale green leaves and purple serrated edges. Copper Spoons botanical name Kalanchoe orgyalis sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade hardiness zones 10-11 Copper Spoons, a slow-growing Kalanchoe variety, displays thick gray stems adorned with oval leaves that have bronze tops covered in fine hairs. The undersides of the leaves feature a silvery grey hue.

sunlight needs Full Sun to Part Shade

hardiness zones 9-11

Copper Spoons, a slow-growing and aesthetically pleasing species, boasts oval leaves with slight concavity and pointed ends. When cultivated outdoors, it can reach heights of up to 6 feet over time, although its indoor growth is more restrained.

Propagation of Copper Spoons is straightforward, either by cutting off a leaf and placing it in a damp potting mix or by separating and repotting small offsets. During spring, this plant blooms with cheerful yellow flowers.

Donkey Ears

	botanical name Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri
	sunlight needs Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-12

Donkey Ears is a rapidly growing type of kalanchoe characterized by large, plate-shaped leaves that can reach lengths of up to 20 inches and widths of 4 inches, often with small notches at the edges. This species typically features bright green leaves adorned with dark spot patterns.

During the autumn season, Donkey Ears produces tall branching stems that can grow up to 3 feet in height. At the top of these stems, clusters of flowers bloom, typically cylindrical in shape and displaying hues of yellow-green streaked with red or violet.

‘Dragonfire’

The Dragonfire plant, with its vibrant colors, rapidly grows into a 4”-6” tall rosette. It matures quickly and produces offsets early, resulting in a mounding habit.

Its leaves transition from bright green centers to striking red margins, intensifying in high sun exposure or cold temperatures. Although not a frequent bloomer, the rosettes resemble blooms, making Dragonfire a visually appealing and low-maintenance plant.

‘Fang’

Known by the moniker, the Velvet Leaf Plant, the Beharensis species of kalanchoe boasts a covering of white hairs on its foliage akin to Tomentosa. Its leaves are sizable, fleshy, and contoured with serrations. This plant, a recipient of the esteemed Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, sports a distinctive feature – small fang-like projections beneath the leaves for an intense appearance.

‘Fantastic’

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe luciae ‘Fantastic’
	Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	Hardiness Zones 9-11

Kalanchoe ‘Fantastic’ bears resemblance to the Flapjacks family with its variegated and attractive appearance akin to Red Pancakes. Its paddle-like leaves are substantial, rounded, and delicately ruffled, forming a relaxed rosette structure.

The highlight of ‘Fantastic’ lies in its leaf coloration, with vibrant yellow and green variegation that blushes on the margins when exposed to direct sunlight, creating a striking tri- or quadra-color effect. In late winter, expect a single tall stem producing a cluster of pale yellow, urn-shaped flowers on this striking specimen.

‘Flaming Katy’

	Botanical Name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Flaming Katy’

	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-12

‘Flaming Katy’ is a popular choice at flower shops, celebrated for its abundant blossoms and extended flowering season. This kalanchoe is commonly cultivated indoors but may thrive outdoors in regions with warmer climates. With a blooming period that can span from February to June, ‘Flaming Katy’ is a long-lived plant that can grace your space with its flowers for many seasons.

The glossy dark green leaves of ‘Flaming Katy’ have distinctive scalloped edges and grow in tight rosettes that give rise to short, branching flower stems. Its double-petaled flowers bear a resemblance to miniature roses.

‘Flapjacks’

Revealing a remarkable appearance akin to a tower of green pancakes, ‘Flapjacks’ can grow up to 30” tall when cultivated outdoors, but its size is more constrained when potted.

The large rounded paddle-shaped leaves of ‘Flapjacks’ are loosely arranged in a semi-rosette pattern that resembles a stack of flapjacks. The pale almost neon green color in the center of the leaves is accented by a blush that turns the edges into a vivid scarlet hue. During the spring season, ‘Flapjacks’ develops tall flower spikes bearing yellow blossoms.

Flower Dust Plant

Botanical Name
Kalanchoe pumila

Sun Requirements
Full Sun to Part Shade

Hardiness Zones
9-11

Explore ‘Kerinci’

Botanical Name
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Kerinci’

Sun Requirements
Full Sun to Part Shade

hardiness zones

10-12

“Kerinci” is reminiscent of Flaming Katy and is often kept indoors due to its prolific flowering habit. The leaves are lush green and succulent, forming tight, erect rosettes with slightly scalloped edges. This plant thrives in sunny locations and typically reaches a height of about 1.5 feet.

Blossfeldiana is primarily recognized for its vibrant blooms. “Kerinci” showcases striking pink flowers that appear in late winter. With adequate light and proper watering, these blooms can persist for up to 6 weeks.

‘Lanin’

	botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Lanin’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-12

It seems unfair to talk about blossfeldiana without mentioning ‘Lanin.’ This delightful plant bursts into bloom during the winter season, often gracing homes with its stunning display during holiday festivities. The dark green leaves of ‘Lanin’ are reminiscent of other blossfeldiana varieties.

With single petal bright orange flowers, ‘Lanin’ brings a spectrum of colors ranging from pale to dark hues. These vibrant plants are sure to bring joy and make wonderful gifts for plant enthusiasts.

Mealy

Botanical Name Kalanchoe scapigera Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade Hardiness Zones 10-11 To describe this petite plant would be minimal, but its impact lies in its vivid colors and well-balanced symmetry. The small, neatly rounded leaves boast hues ranging from light green to coppery. Under the sun’s radiance, the leaf edges blush red while the entire foliage is coated in a delicate white powder. During its blooming phase, the Kalanchoe scapigera showcases a striking contrast. The green foliage with red tips perfectly complements the vibrant coral-red flower clusters. Within the tubular blossoms, a subtle hint of yellow stamens peeks out, adding to its allure. Milky Widow’s Thrill Botanical Name Kalanchoe laxiflora Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade Hardiness Zones 9-11 Known as Milky Widow’s Thrill or laxiflora, this diminutive succulent shrub can reach heights of approximately 20”. Its vibrant green leaves with a purple undertone near the stems give rise to deep red to purple-edged margins. These leaves elegantly form loosely arranged rosettes along the elongated stems. The towering flower spikes, which can stretch up to one foot above the foliage, are extensively branched – a characteristic that leaves a lasting impression once the plant blooms. Adorning the branches of the inflorescence are copious clusters of tubular coral-hued flowers that cascade downwards, further enhancing the appeal of Milky Widow’s Thrill. Discover More About Mother of Millions Mother of Millions is often mistaken for its relative, the Chandelier Plant. However, these two species have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Botanical Name Kalanchoe tubiflora Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade Hardiness Zones 9-11 The Kalanchoe tubiflora is a vibrant succulent plant with long, slender leaves that start out green at the center and gradually turn purple with age and exposure to sunlight. The proliferation of tiny plantlets adds to its allure. When planted in the ground, Mother of Millions can become invasive, making it ideal for container gardening. Its easy propagation is attributed to the abundance of plantlets it produces. During late winter, tall inflorescences adorned with clusters of orange bell-shaped flowers grace this plant. Uncover More About Naked Feltleaf Naked Feltleaf, also known as Kalanchoe beharensis var. subnuda, showcases olive green, deeply dissected leaves that form an intriguing puzzle-like pattern. Botanical Name Kalanchoe beharensis var. subnuda Sun Requirements Full Sun to Part Shade	botanical name Kalanchoe luciae ‘Oricula’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-11

Beharensis or Felt Leaf species is easily identified by the soft fuzz covering its foliage with the exception of Naked Feltleaf, which lacks this characteristic. Despite this, it shares the same deeply dissected leaves that interlock like puzzle pieces, typical of its species.

Despite being a tad less tolerant of direct sunlight than other members of its family, Naked Feltleaf still appreciates a good amount of sun exposure. During winter, this variant produces yellowish-green flowers.

‘Oricula’

Oricula stands out due to its unique leaves, reaching up to 2’ in height and sporting 6” green-based leaves that transition into vibrant red tips. What separates these leaves from common kalanchoe varieties is their irregular growth, twisting and turning in various directions.

The color variation in the leaves is influenced by both sunlight and temperature, displaying deeper red hues in cooler climates. As spring arrives, the leaves shift to a pure green shade. Its small, singular pale greenish-yellow flowers blossom during the winter season.

Penwiper Plant

	botanical name Kalanchoe marmorata

Pies From Heaven

	botanical name Kalanchoe rhombopilosa var. viridifolia

Penwiper, a less common variety of kalanchoe, features beautifully ornamental leaves. K. marmorata displays striking coloration, with light green leaves adorned with dark purple mottling across them. The purple patterns intensify towards the leaf tips, creating a captivating visual display.

This plant forms a loose rosette of leaves and thrives as an indoor plant near sunlit windows. When given adequate light in spring, it produces a spike topped with exquisite white star-shaped flowers.

Pies From Heaven, another kalanchoe variant, showcases distinctive succulent leaves with silvery coloration and dark brown to black markings. Shaped like flowers, the triangular leaves form an open rosette; handle them delicately as they are quite fragile.

The plant’s stems are adorned with soft, long hairs, enhancing its overall appeal.

Unique Plant Varieties

‘Pink Butterflies’ is a stunning hybrid that showcases slender green leaves with numerous petite pink plantlets along the edges. This hybrid, a variant of the Mother of Thousands kalanchoe closely resembling Mother of Millions, adds a delightful touch of pink to your garden or indoor space.

	botanical name Kalanchoe x houghtonii ‘Pink Butterflies’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-11

The captivating feature of ‘Pink Butterflies’ lies in its unique pink plantlets that lack chlorophyll, giving them a butterfly-like appearance as they adorn the leaf edges, adding a whimsical touch to your plant collection.

These kalanchoes are effortless to propagate – simply let the plantlets fall onto the soil, where they’ll readily establish themselves, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Vibrant Blossoms

‘Queen Jodie’ kalanchoe boasts large, dark green succulent leaves with scalloped edges and dainty double flowers resembling miniature roses, making it a visual delight for any space.

	botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Queen Jodie’

If you are into colorful and vibrant plants, ‘Queen Jodie’ is the one for you. This variety of the Blossfeldiana family boasts waxy, dark green leaves with scalloped edges. It grows up to approximately 1.5 feet in height and blooms with stunning double-petaled pink flowers during late winter and spring.

Queen Lindsay

Similar to ‘Queen Jodie’, ‘Queen Lindsay’ thrives in a sunny environment, preferably indoors if temperatures drop. This variety showcases bright, sunny yellow double blooms. As with all kalanchoe species, both Queens are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.

Red Pancakes

	botanical name Kalanchoe hildebrandtii
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-11

An interesting succulent often confused with its relative Flapjacks is Kalanchoe hildebrandtii, also known as Silver Teaspoons. This species can grow up to 16 inches in height if planted in the ground, remaining more compact in containers.

The leaves of this kalanchoe are distinctively pale gray-green, covered in tiny white hairs giving them a silvery appearance. Resembling the herb sage, Silver Teaspoons produces white flowers in clusters during the spring season.

‘Simone’

	botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Simone’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-12

This petite kalanchoe ‘Simone’ exhibits deep green leaves which offer a striking contrast to its beautiful white blooms. The plant’s upper portion is adorned with these exquisite single-petal flowers, enhancing its appeal as a popular houseplant.

Given the right conditions, the blooms can completely cover the plant, making these Blossfeldiana varieties a low-maintenance yet captivating addition to any space.

Snow White

	botanical name Kalanchoe eriophylla
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade

hardiness zones

10-11

Amidst the greenery, Snow White stands out, flaunting a velvety appearance reminiscent of freshly fallen snow. The lush leaves, decorated with a soft carpet of white hairs, exude an air of delicate elegance that catches the light in a dazzling display.

In late winter, Snow White adorns itself with petite clusters of pale pink blooms atop short stems. A lover of bright yet indirect sunlight, this kalanchoe variety thrives in such conditions.

‘Teddy Bear’

	botanical name Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Teddy Bear’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-12

The ‘Teddy Bear’ kalanchoe, also known as Kalanchoe tomentosa, boasts a cuddly aesthetic with its hairy leaves that give it a fuzzy texture. Its charming bell-shaped flowers emerge in March, complementing the olive-green foliage adorned with copper-brown trimmings.

‘Tessa’

	botanical name Kalanchoe longiflora
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-11

The hybrid Kalanchoe ‘Tessa’ is a delicate and highly ornamental plant, boasting fleshy green ovate leaves on vibrant deep red stems. This beauty comes to life in late winter with bright red bell-shaped flowers at the top of its stems.

Kalanchoe ‘Tessa’ is a striking plant that adds a touch of elegance to any space, with its weeping bright red flowers and charming appearance.

Tugela Cliff

	botanical name Kalanchoe longiflora
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-11

Tugela Cliff, a South African kalanchoe, brings forth vibrant yellow flowers that brighten up any winter garden. It’s not just the flowers that make this plant special, but also its colorful and attractive foliage. The small serrated leaves form rosettes on delicate stems, showcasing varying shades from bright green to deep reddish purple, influenced by temperature and sunlight exposure.

‘Wendy’

	botanical name Kalanchoe manginii ‘Wendy’
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 10-11

Referred to as ‘Wendy’, this K. manginii variety showcases stunning, bright green serrated leaves on deep burgundy stems. The glossy and waxy foliage complements its remarkable bright pink flowers with yellow centers.

Standout tall stems hosting clusters of vibrant bell-shaped flowers define Wendy, making it one of the most magnificent species within the genus.

Walking Kalanchoe

	botanical name Kalanchoe synsepala
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	hardiness zones 9-11

Walking Kalanchoe is known for its cactus-like appearance, showcasing large ovate leaves with white serrated edges and a distinctive toothy look. The plant blooms white and pink cylindrical flowers, typically during fall.

Its peculiar growth habit results in the production of offsets on long ‘legs,’ allowing for propagation alongside the main plant or in separate containers.

Final Thoughts

The diverse range of succulents within the kalanchoe genus has truly captured my admiration. From velvet textured silvery hues to vibrant vermillion paddles, there is a kalanchoe suitable for every garden and windowsill.

Easy to nurture, aesthetically pleasing, and gratifying to propagate, the kalanchoe family is sure to win the hearts of every avid gardener.

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JAMES

James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities.

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