Maureen Gilmer
Family
Crassulaceae
Botanical Name
KALANCHOE thyrsiflora(COPPER HAZE™) PPAF
Plant Common Name
Desert Cabbage, Paddleplant
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The layered pancake-shaped leaves of this stunning graphic succulent have made it one of the most coveted choices for container gardens indoors and out. Its impressive fleshy foliage is soft blue-green in color with irregular edges of orange-purple-red. A native of the Cape region of South Africa, paddleplant thrives in the moist maritime air during the long, dry season. Like all succulents, it requires fast-draining, porous soil.
While technically a perennial, the plant can be short-lived. The original cluster of leaves bolt in the second season bearing a tall stalk topped with a cluster of powdery silver and yellow bell-shaped flowers. After bolting, many design-savvy, perfectionisto gardeners simply toss the old plants and replant with new. However, if the spent flower stalk is cut off, the parent will produce many new offsets in an irregular fashion. These can be severed and easily rooted in sand to create new, tidy clusters for the following year.
Paddleplant should receive full sun to encourage the leaf edges to turn bright orange-purple-red. It can be grown anywhere indoors or as a container plant, but if given too much shade or grown indoors it will remain blue green.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Cactus or Succulent
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
-
Height
10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm
-
Width
10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm
-
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
-
Native To
South Africa
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Sand
-
Tolerances
Salt
-
Growth Rate
Medium
-
Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Lemon Yellow, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Blue, Purple, Orange, Blue Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Purple, Orange, Blue Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Purple, Orange, Blue Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Red, Blue, Purple, Orange, Blue Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Bold
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
