Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
HouseplantsCactus SucculentConservatory Greenhouse

Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Mexican hat plant

An upright succulent perennial with trinagular-lance-shaped, grey-green leaves, often spotted with brown, and with a row of plantlets on each edge; pendent, tubular greyish pink flowers 2cm long open in winter

Other common names
devil's backbone
flopper
Synonyms
Bryophyllum daigremontianum
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Brown Green Grey Silver
Summer Brown Green Grey Silver
Autumn Brown Green Grey Silver
Winter Grey Silver Pink Brown Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to the UK
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

Correct

Plant range
Madagascar

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with additional sharp sand or grit in full light with good ventilation. Water moderately throughout the year but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildews and a rust may be a problem

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.