Get excited! This month we are featuring a colorful collection of plants in our Succulents Box. It includes 2 Kalanchoe plants (Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier and Paddle Plant) and 2 Sempervivum plants (Sempervivum Cobweb and Sempervivum Calcareum). This article will give you more details on each of these plants and instructions on how to provide the best care for them as they become the new additions to your succulent collection.
WHAT IS KALANCHOE?
Kalanchoe is a genus that includes 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants native to arid areas in Madagascar and tropical Africa. Kalanchoe plants are special because of the beautiful long-lasting flower heads that bloom above the foliage even in the coldest months of winter. They are easy to care for and very drought tolerant. Perfect for containers and in rock gardens.
Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier
Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier is very drought tolerant when established. The velvety leaves are covered with soft tiny hairs that act as a natural shield from hot sunlight. The tips of the yellow/grey-green leaves have slightly raised tooths with rusty brown spots. Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier has thick stems which become woody with age. It produces small, bell-shaped and yellow-green flowers in summer.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Porous and well-drained
Water: Water thoroughly only when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely
Fertilizer: Feed once per month during the growing season
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Kalanchoe Paddle Plant
Kalanchoe Paddle Plant Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora, also known as Kalanchoe Flapjacks, is an interesting succulent with broad flat paddle-shaped leaves that stack on of each other like pancakes. In winter or under full sun, the tips of the leaves turn deep red, which gives the plant another fun nickname "Red Pancake". Mature Kalanchoe Paddle Plant can grow up to 2.5 feet in height, and produce impressive tall bloom stalks of fragrant yellow flowers. A "monocarpic" plant, after flowering, the mother plant dies and produces multiple offsets at the base which can be easily propagated.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Porous and well-drained
Water: Water thoroughly only when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely
Fertilizer: Feed once per month during the growing season
Hardiness
Zone 9a 20 to 25 °F
Zone 9b 25 to 30 °F
Zone 10a 30 to 35 °F
Zone 10b 35 to 40 °F
Zone 11 above 40 °F
WHAT IS SEMPERVIVUM?
Sempervivum is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants that are commonly known as 'Houseleeks' or 'Hen and Chicks'. The Latin word 'Sempervivum' means 'forever alive'. They are succulent perennials that form mats of beautiful compact rosettes. They offset readily and are perfect as a groundcover. Sempervivum plants are easy to grow succulents because they can thrive in both cold or hot temperatures with either low or strong level of light.
Sempervivum Cobweb
Sempervivum Cobweb (Cobweb Hens and Chicks) is a small-growing selection of hen and chicks. Their pointy blue-green rosettes are covered with crisscrossing fine white threads that resemble a cobweb. Rosy pink flowers appear on leafy stems in mid-summer.
As the plants mature, the "hen" may die out and the "chicks" will grow in its place. You can propagate Sempervivum Cobweb by separating some of the "chicks" and replanting them elsewhere. The rosettes should be deadheaded after blooming; remove the spent rosette to make room for fresh growth.
This plant would look perfect on a windowsill when planted into a small clay pot. Also known as Cobweb Houseleek or Cobweb Sedum.
Soil: Gritty soil, Sandy
Light: Full Sun or Partial shade
Water: Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Reduce watering to a minimum during winter.
Hardiness
Zone 5a -20 to -15 °F
Zone 5b -15 to -10 °F
Zone 6a -10 to -5 °F
Zone 6b -5 to 0 °F
Zone 7a 0 to 5 °F
Zone 7b 5 to 10 °F
Zone 8a 10 to 15 °F
Zone 8b 15 to 20 °F
Sempervivum Calcareum
Sempervivum Calcareum, also known as Houseleek, is a succulent perennial plant that can reach 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Its rosettes are beautifully symmetrical with a dome shape. The leaves are blue-green and have pointy burgundy tips. Sempervivum calcareum forms dense mats by multiplying via short-stalked offsets. In summer, some mature rosettes produce clusters of starry, yellow-eyed, light pink flowers on thick stalks. The rosettes that flower will naturally die afterwards, but by this time, the plant has likely produced many offsets that will continue to grow.
Soil: Gritty soil, Sandy
Light: Full Sun or Partial shade
Water: Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Reduce watering to a minimum during winter.
Temperature: Prefers warm summer temperatures (65ºF/18ºC – 70ºF/21ºC). In winter, it can tolerate temperatures down to freezing.
Fertilizer: Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
Hardiness
Zone 7b 5 to 10 °F
We hope this complete care guide for Kalanchoe and Sempervivum plants will be helpful for you when you get your new Subscription Box this month. You can expect to receive from 1 to 4 of the plants featured, depending on the subscription plan you chose. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
Collectors, enjoy your beautiful Succulents Boxes!
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