Project Description
Kalanchoe luciae
Kalanchoe luciae has smooth flat leaves that blush a beautiful red with the right amount of sunlight. It is monocarpic, but easily propagates from offsets.
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial sun
Not suited for indoor growing
Typical water needs for a succulent
Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) tall and 36″ (91 cm) wide
Leaves are up to 6″ (15 cm) long and 5″ (12.5 cm) wide
Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by leaves, cuttings, and offsets
Can be toxic to animals
Actively grows in Spring and Fall
Also available from Etsy.
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Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack”
Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack” or “Paddle Plant” is evergreen, with a yellow flowers that bloom in late Winter to early Spring.
Watering
“Paddle Plant” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Kalanchoe luciae is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Often Mistaken For
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora. These two succulents are closely related, but have some differences. When stressed, Kalanchoe luciae turns more red, while Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is more of a light green.
Pairs Well With
How to Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack”
Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack” or “Paddle Plant” ‘Debbie’ can be propagated from leaves, cuttings, or offsets.
Leaves
It is possible to propagate “Flapjack” from leaves, but it can be difficult.
When taking a leaf for propagation, gently twist the leaf from the stem. Be sure that the leaf you get is a “clean pull,” where no part of the leaf is left on the stem. This will give you a better chance of a successful propagation.
Allow the leaf to callous over for a day or two before placing it on well-draining soil.
Cuttings
To grow Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a leaf from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Offsets
“Flapjack” will produce small offsets. Cut the offsets off from the main stem with a sharp, sterile knife or scissors. Allow the offsets to dry for one to two days before laying on well-draining soil.
From readers like you…
New growth is light green but older leaves a pretty red!I had to rehab her a little…..it was a little sad inside and I brought her out this summer and she perked right up and I got all those new babies at the bottom!
Mine is green with yellow tint.
1st first day of Spring in Australia and my flapjack (under patio roof but plenty of light ) is starting to turn red
I give her plenty of sunlight but she’s stubborn and gives me very little red. She’s an easy, fast grower though.
Mine isn’t too red but boy is she taking over this planter!
Minimal care. Full sun for at least 3 months. I’m hoping it gets more red but at least it has given me some babies.
Green…but was red most of the summer. Its been an easy grower for me. It flowered last year, in an effort to keep the flowering one alive, I cut it off…its still alive, but lost all its old leaves and grew small plants on stalk and has many pups that are getting good size.
Almost lost her, but she’s slowly coming back!
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This one really shows off it’s colors in the winter when temperatures are “cool” but not freezing. The red gets so intense when temps get to around 40F. I love it!