Kalanchoe × houghtonii
Houghton's Kalanchoe · Spotted Tiger Plant · Not mother of thousands? · Mother of millions · Hybrid Kalanchoe
Description
Source: leafsnapKalanchoe × houghtonii is a hybrid between K. daigremontiana and K. delagoensis. It is often confused with K. daigremontiana which has strongly cordate to auriculate or even peltate leaves, while the leaves of K. × houghtonii are narrower and the leaf base is attenuate, cuneate to weakly cordate or auriculate.
🌳 Mother of millions is chiefly appealing because of its striking appearance as a garden plant, with a secondary — and more troubling — role as an invasive species. Its capacity to reproduce quickly makes it prized for filling gaps in home gardens but also creates a substantial ecological threat in areas where it is not native. The numerous plantlets that earned mother of millions its name are proof of its reproductive power.
Care Guide
💧 Water
The Mother of Millions plant thrives in arid environments and demonstrates exceptional drought tolerance. Water it once every two weeks, ensuring the soil dries out completely between waterings. It prefers well-draining soil to prevent root rot, as it is sensitive to overwatering. This makes it a resilient, low-maintenance indoor plant.
☀️ Light Full sun
Native to arid regions, Mother of millions does best in full sun, its native habitat having intense sunlight and scarce shade. It will also tolerate partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growth.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Mother of millions grows best in warm conditions and needs higher temperatures during the growing season to encourage growth and metabolic processes. It prefers plenty of sunlight, suitable moisture levels, and good air circulation. However, it can be damaged by very low temperatures and excessive watering. Maintaining balance is important, avoiding both extreme heat and excessively dry conditions.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
For Mother of thousands, light fertilizer applications once or twice a year during the growing season are enough. Avoid fertilizing in winter or in summer when it is dormant. Cut back on fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before applying fertilizer. Fertilizing promotes healthy growth and encourages blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot Every 2 years
When repotting a Mother of millions, 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 plant it at the same depth. Wait several days before watering so any root damage can heal. Repot in spring or fall and place it in a brightly lit spot.
✂️ Pruning
To keep the "mother of millions" plant in good shape, it's important to prune it in both spring and autumn. Remove any dense or unnecessary branches during these times. For propagation, start by cutting healthy stems that have 5-6 leaves. Treat the cut wounds with sulfur powder, and after they've healed, plant the stems. While doing this, make sure to keep the soil slightly moist.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Succulent
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Kalanchoe
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 9-12
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 91 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Leaf Color
- Dark Green, Olive Drab
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Pink
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
- Bloom Time
- All year round
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- All year round