Kalanchoe laxiflora
Milky widow's thrill · Mother of thousands · Lavender scallops · Moon milk
Description
Source: leafsnapKalanchoe laxiflora is a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family and is native to Madagascar. This plant can grow up to 1 meter tall and features thick, fleshy green leaves with slightly serrated edges. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, with new growth emerging from the center. The flowers of Kalanchoe laxiflora are small, tubular, and showcase pink or red petals. These blooms form clusters at the ends of long stems, typically flowering in late winter or early spring. This plant is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance. It thrives in well-draining soil and prefers bright, indirect sunlight. To prevent root rot, it's crucial not to overwater the plant. Kalanchoe laxiflora also boasts several medicinal uses, believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as a natural remedy for ailments such as headaches, fever, coughs, and sore throats. Overall, Kalanchoe laxiflora is an attractive succulent with beautiful blooms, making it an excellent addition to any indoor garden or outdoor landscape design project!
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
The Milky Widow's Thrill is a drought-tolerant succulent from arid regions that requires minimal watering, ideally only once every three weeks. It thrives in low-moisture and dry conditions and benefits from well-draining soil to prevent root rot and maintain proper hydration.
☀️ Light Full sun
Originating from arid regions, Neverdie thrives in full sun since its native habitat features intense sunlight and minimal shade. It also tolerates partial sun, giving it some flexibility in how it grows.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
While Neverdie can tolerate some heat, it mainly performs and grows best in cooler periods and goes dormant in summer. In very hot summer conditions, give it shade to prevent scorching from strong sunlight. Watering should be reduced or even stopped during the hottest season to avoid root rot. Winter and spring are when Neverdie grows vigorously. As long as temperatures do not fall too low, it will continue to grow steadily.
💨 Humidity normal (40-60%)
This plant will thrive in moderate humidity, which is probably the level in your home. However, misting it a few times a week can be very beneficial. Make sure the room has good ventilation.
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
For Neverdie, apply light amounts of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season. Do not fertilize in winter or in summer while it is dormant. Cut back on fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before fertilizing. Fertilizing supports healthy growth and promotes blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot Every 2 years
When repotting Neverdie, choose a pot slightly larger than the current one that provides good drainage. Use a gritty, well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, brush off excess soil, and place it at the same depth. Hold off on watering for a few days to allow any root damage to heal. Repot in spring or fall and keep it in a brightly lit location.
✂️ Pruning
To help the milky widow's thrill maintain its shape, prune it in the spring and autumn by removing any excessive or dense branches. For propagation, choose sturdy stems with 5 to 6 leaves. Cut these stems, apply sulfur powder to the cut ends, and allow them to heal before planting. During the cutting process, make sure to keep the soil slightly moist.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Succulent, Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Kalanchoe
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 20 cm to 40 cm
- Leaf Color
- Light Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Yellow, Orange
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
- Bloom Time
- Winter
- Planting Time
- Summer
- Harvest Time
- Late winter, Early spring, Mid spring
- Native Area
- Burkina Faso, Saudi Arabia, Malawi, Angola, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Guinea, Yemen, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo (DRC), Congo