Because of the paddle or clam-like shape of its leaves that form in rosette clusters, the flapjack succulent (Kalanchoe luciae) is likewise understood as a paddle plant. It’s a striking home plant that does not need a lot of maintenance.
In the best conditions, this drought-resistant plant can likewise be grown outside. It will only match warm regions, however it’s one that can do well in states like Florida.
Flapjacks can grow quickly in large clusters and work well for xeriscape landscapes or rock gardens in regions prone to droughts. When mature, these plants can produce yellow-shaded flowers in the spring, and the broad, thick, fleshy leaves can take on a striking red tinge around the edges in winter.
This is why it’s in some cases also referred to as the “red pancake.” Understand that all parts of kalanchoe succulents are toxic to both people and animals.
Common Name: Flapjack succulent, paddle plant, red pancakes, dessert cabbage
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe luciae
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant Type: Evergreen succulent
Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: White with a tinge of yellow
Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (USDA)
Native Area: South Africa
Toxicity: Toxic to people, toxic to pets
How To Care For Flapjack Succulent
When you supply it with the proper conditions and care, this plant is relatively simple to care for. Offering your flapjack succulent gets lots of natural light and warmth, it isn’t overwatered, and it’s planted or potted in soil with excellent drainage, you can anticipate healthy and rapid development.
Light
As you would anticipate from a succulent belonging to South Africa and the surrounding areas, the flapjack likes a lot of sun, however it also does fine in a partial sun position. In the hot, warm summer months, understand that you may require to offer your flapjack a little defense versus intense direct sunshine to keep the leaves from having leaf blister damage.
The plant’s green leaves can establish the red suggestions it’s known for if your flapjack is offered enough light throughout the cooler winter months.
Soil
Like a lot of succulents, flapjack succulents prefer well-drained soil. A sandy or fertile variety that does not retain too much wetness will help ensure they flourish. Many garden centers and nurseries bring cactus or succulent potting soil blends. If you are growing your plant indoors, Select a clay pot with great drain.
Water
As you would expect with a succulent, flapjacks are drought-tolerant, and fantastic care should be taken not to overwater. When the weather is hot, the soil ought to be permitted to completely dry out prior to watering. During the winter season, they will need very little watering or none at all. It is best to water in the morning to provide the plant’s roots time to absorb the water and the leaves to dry before the sun sets.
Temperature And Humidity
Paddle plants, like a lot of succulents, flourish in dry, hot regions. If winter temperatures drop listed below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping them as an indoor plant or bringing them inside over winter season is advised.
Fertilizer
Your flapjack succulent will value being fed a well balanced and diluted fertilizer during its development duration over the spring and summer. When every number of months should be ample. Over-fertilizing, similar to over-watering, can lead to root rot or the development of powdery mildew on these succulents.
Flapjack Succulents Species
There are a couple of varieties of flapjack succulents:
‘Red-fruited flapjack’ has red tips around its green leaves and grows in a triangular shape. Originates in the United States.
‘Yellow-fruited flapjack’ has fruit-like orange or yellow flowers with green-yellowish leaves and is commonly found in Madagascar.
‘Blue-fruited flapjack’ is also discovered in Madagascar with green leaves that have blue-tinged suggestions and white or pale blue flowers.
Comparison Of Kalanchoe Luciae vs. Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora
The term “flapjack” or “paddle plant” is often also used to refer to the less common types Kalanchoe thyrsiflora. Luciae is a lot more widely readily available, however it can frequently be mislabelled as thyrsiflora.
The two plant types are extremely similar in regards to their look and growing requirements. When fully grown plants grow long stem flowers in late winter season, the simplest method to find the distinction.
The luciae generally produces white flowers with a yellow tint around their second year, whereas the thyrsiflora heavily-scented flowers are a much deeper yellow shade. Thyrsiflora likewise tends to have a white chalk-like film on their more comprehensive and much shorter leaves.
Pruning
The flapjack succulent requires extremely little pruning. Deadhead the flowers once they’re invested, and remove any dead leaves or stalks. Trim it back with pruning shears to keep it compact and rounded if you observe the plant is getting leggy.
How To Propagate Flapjack Succulents
It is best to propagate after the plant has stopped flowering during the late spring or early summer season. These plants are monocarpic (they only flower once), they’re easy to propagate from cuttings.
- Select a healthy stem and utilizing pruning shears or scissors, cut about a 2-3 inch piece that has a few leaves on it.
- Strip off the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving at least 2 to 3 leaves on it.
- Let the cutting dry and form a callus. This should take anywhere from one to 3 days.
- Plant the cutting in a container with pre-moistened potting soil by poking it in the soil just up to the very first leaf from the bottom.
- Confine the whole pot with a plastic bag to develop a greenhouse effect.
- When you see it is starting to get dry, location of the pot in indirect light and moisten the soil.
- Once it begins to reveal brand-new growth– approximately 15 to 20 days– you can care for it as you would a mature plant.
Flapjack succulents can likewise be begun with a specific leaf being laid on the soil. Mature and healthy specimens are fast-growing and readily produce new offsets that can be removed from the plant and potted.
How To Pot And Repot Flapjack Succulent
Repot your flapjack succulent during the late summer season or fall after the flowering duration for this plant has passed. Use a pot with drainage holes (preferably a clay one, as it will assist absorb any excess wetness), that has actually been prepped with cactus or succulent potting soil, and carefully plant the succulent. Make certain to only go up to a slightly larger-sized container, as these plants do better when they’re crowded.
How To Take Care Flapjack Succulent During Winter
Bring your flapjack succulent in throughout the cooler months. Best growing conditions for these plants are hot and dry weather. If you live where the temperature drops down below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s best to keep them inside to prevent any damage to them.
Don’t Let Pests And Diseases Ruin Your Flapjack Succulent!
While paddle plants do not have numerous typical insects or illness, they are susceptible to a few of them. Spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies take pleasure in sucking the juices from the leaves of this plant but can be looked after by utilizing neem oil or an insecticide spray. Fungis, such as grainy mildew or botrytis blight, are illnesses that contaminate these plants and are usually brought on by overwatering or too humid conditions with inadequate air circulating. An insecticide can remove these fungal diseases.
Succulent Care
