Kalanchoe crenata
A drought-tolerant Crassulaceae succulent with thick, notched leaves that produce tiny plantlets along the margins for easy propagation, native to tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, valued for medicinal uses, and easy to care for indoors or outdoors with bright light and well-draining soil.
Common Names
Flame Kalanchoe, Bruja Mansa, Madre De La Bruja Roja
Summary
Kalanchoe crenata is a succulent evergreen shrub in the Crassulaceae family native to tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with Madagascar among its range, it features fleshy leaves with scalloped margins that are green with reddish tones, and forms a branching, upright habit that can reach about 0.5 m in height; a long flower stalk carries tubular flowers, giving the plant ornamental appeal, it thrives in full sun to bright light on well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant, requiring water sparingly and frost protection, suitable for pots, rockeries, or borders, propagation is easy via offsets, leaf cuttings, or stem cuttings, and traditional medicinal uses are noted in some cultures, all parts are poisonous if ingested and toxic to livestock, pests such as mealybugs and aphids may occur, so avoid overwatering.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-3 feet
Spread
20 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 9-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Full Sun to Partial Sun, about 7–8 hours of direct sunlight per day, with caution in hot summers to avoid leaf burn.
Soil Type
Well-draining soil, ideally a cactus or succulent mix with added sand or perlite
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil, preferably a cactus or succulent mix with added sand or perlite, and a sandy or rocky texture.
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Bloom Color
Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow, Pinkish-Orange
Bloom Time
Late Winter to Early Spring
Foliage Color
Yellow to deep green, green with reddish margins or edges, bright green with edges turning reddish in strong sun, purple or red shades in direct sunlight
Fall Foliage Color
Reddish
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Medium
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (Andrews) Haw.
- Publication
- Syn. Pl. Succ. : 109 (1812)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Saxifragales
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Genus
- Kalanchoe
Synonyms
Kalanchoe brasilica Kalanchoe crenata subsp. biennis Kalanchoe connata Kalanchoe britteni Kalanchoe coccinea Vereia crenata Vereia nudicaulis Cotyledon brasilica Cotyledon crenata Cotyledon nudicaulis Cotyledon verea Kalanchoe integra var. crenata Kalanchoe integra var. varea Kalanchoe brasiliensis Kalanchoe crenata var. coccinea Kalanchoe crenata var. verea Kalanchoe crenata subsp. nyassensis