Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Red Lips ('Ubilips')

RHS Plant Profile

paddle plant [Red Lips]

RHS

Synonyms

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora 'Ubilips'

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A succulent, fleshy, evergreen perennial to around 50cm with a dense rosette of thick, fleshy, paddle-shaped green leaves with bright red edges which become more vibrant when exposed to sunlight. Upright spikes of cylinder-shaped bright yellow flowers appear on mature plants

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Kalanchoe can be annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs or trees, with succulent, simple or pinnately lobed foliage and tubular or bell-shaped flowers with four lobes
Name Status: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with additional grit in full light with good ventilation. Water moderately throughout the year but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed with liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. See houseplant cultivation or cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by removing plantlets from leaves; from softwood cuttings in spring or summer or propagate by seed sown at 21°C (70°F) in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and a leaf spot