de:Benutzer:CrazyD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsIf you’re looking for a low-maintenance succulent with serious personality, Mother of Thousands indoor care might be the perfect fit for you.
This striking plant not only thrives with minimal effort, but it also rewards you with endless baby plantlets that practically grow themselves.
3 Mother of thousands Kalanchoe daigremontiana~mexican hat plant succulent
Mother of Thousands or Kalanchoe daigremontiana is a plant from Madagascar and it is popular because Mother of Thousands indoor care is easy.
Mother Of Thousands Care Tips:
- Mother of Thousands indoor care entails placing it in bright indirect light.
- Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between sessions.
- Use a well-draining potting mix.
- During active growing seasons, a monthly dose of diluted all-purpose fertilizer can be beneficial.
- It’s a low-maintenance plant, but ensure it’s kept away from children and pets due to its poisonous nature.
This is a plant that goes by many common names, like Mexican Hat Plant and Devil’s Backbone.
This plant is poisonous if eaten, so keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana, formerly known as Bryophyllum daigremontianum and commonly called Mother of Thousands, alligator plant, Devil’s backbone, crown of thorns, or Mexican hat plant, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Like other members of Bryophyllum (now included in the genus Kalanchoe, it can propagate vegetatively from plantlets that develop on its leaf margins, as well as through upshoots from lateral roots, and seeds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalanchoe_daigremontiana
Mother of Thousands Indoor Care In A Nutshell
This plant is an excellent choice for indoor growers because it is very easy to care for and can thrive in a wide range of conditions.
It is important to note that Kalanchoe daigremontiana is poisonous to both humans and pets if ingested, so it is important to keep this plant out of reach of children and animals.
When it comes to watering, the Mother of Thousands is a very drought-tolerant plant and can easily go several weeks without water.
However, during the active growing season (spring and summer), it is important to water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
In the winter, watering can be reduced, but the plant should never be allowed to completely dry out.
Mother of Thousands prefers bright indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun.
If grown in too much shade, the plant will become leggy and produce fewer plantlets.
This plant is not particularly picky when it comes to soil, but it does need a well-draining potting mix.
A cactus or succulent mix will work well, or you can make your own by mixing equal parts of sand, perlite, and potting soil.
Fertilizing is not necessary, but if you want to give your plant a boost, you can feed it once a month with a diluted all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season.
You can stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is fairly resistant to pests and diseases, but mealybugs, aphids, and scale can occasionally be a problem.
These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
If you are looking for an easy-to-care-for succulent that is sure to add interest to your indoor space, Mother of Thousands is a great choice!
Mother Of Thousands Plant Care Reference Guide
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Mother of Thousands, Mexican Hat Plant, Devil’s Backbone |
| Botanical Name | Kalanchoe daigremontiana |
| Native Habitat | Madagascar |
| Plant Type | Succulent perennial |
| Growth Pattern | Erect, upright with plantlets along leaf edges |
| Mature Size | Up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall indoors |
| Watering | Drought-tolerant; water every 2–3 weeks, letting soil dry out |
| Light/Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light; tolerates some direct sun |
| Soil Type | Well-draining cactus or succulent mix |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Temperature | 60–85°F (15–29°C) |
| Humidity | Average indoor humidity; tolerates dry air |
| Bloom Time & Flower Color | Winter; tubular pink to orange flowers |
| Potential Problems | Toxic to pets/children if ingested; prone to mealybugs, aphids, and scale; invasive outdoors in warm climates |
| Repotting | Rarely needed; repot only if rootbound or to propagate plantlets |
| Hardiness Zones (USDA) | 9–11 (grown indoors elsewhere) |
Mother of Thousands Indoor Care: The Nitty Gritty
Here are more details on growing Mother of Thousands plants including propagation, repotting, and more. The devil is in the details.
Mother of Thousands Light Requirements
The Mother of Thousands is an easy plant to care for and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.
It can take 5-6 hours of direct sunlight indoors. However, if you are in a hot climate it does best in bright, indirect light.
Mother of Thousands Soil
Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) soil requirements are not particularly hard to meet.
But the plant does prefer a porous, well-drained potting mix. A cactus or succulent mix or standard potting mix with added perlite or pumice is ideal.
The perfect Mother of Thousands soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.5.
How Often To Water Mother of Thousands
One of the most important things to remember when caring for a Mother of Thousands is how often to water it.
These plants are very drought-tolerant and only need to be watered every couple of weeks.
During the hottest months of the year, you may need to water your plant more frequently.
However, it is important to make sure that the soil has a chance to dry out between waterings.
Overwatering can cause root rot, so it is best to err on the side of drought.
Propagating Mother of Thousands
Mother of Thousands is probably the easiest plant to propagate. The leaflets that grow on the mother plant will often start growing roots while attached to it.
All you need to do is set them on moist potting soil and they will grow. In fact, they often drop off on their own and start growing if they land on the soil.
This plant can be invasive in warmer climates and it is illegal to have one in Australia.
Repotting Mother of Thousands
This plant rarely needs to be repotted. If you have plantlets that fell off the mother plant growing you will want to remove them. You can repot them if you want more plants.
Mother Of Thousands FAQs
Growing Mother Of Thousands, or Kalanchoe daigremontiana, indoors can be a rewarding endeavor as this plant brings a unique aesthetic appeal to your space.
Its ease of care makes it a favorable choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
However, there might be questions that arise as you nurture this exotic succulent.
Below are some common queries and their thorough answers to guide you on a successful indoor gardening journey with the Mother Of Thousands:
Q. How do I ensure the right light exposure for Mother Of Thousands?
A. Aim for bright indirect light, although it can tolerate some direct sun.
Around 5-6 hours of sunlight is ideal but in hotter climates, it’s better placed in bright, indirect light to prevent scorching.
Q. What is the ideal soil mixture for Mother Of Thousands?
A. A well-draining soil mix is essential. Utilize a cactus or succulent mix, or create your own with equal parts perlite, and coco coir.
The desired soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.5.
Q. How frequently should I water my Mother Of Thousands?
A. This plant is drought-tolerant, requiring water every couple of weeks.
However, during warmer months, the watering frequency might increase but always allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
Q. How do I go about propagating Mother Of Thousands?
A. Propagation is a breeze with Mother Of Thousands. The plantlets growing on the mother plant’s leaf margins can be placed on moist potting soil to grow.
They often self-propagate by dropping off and rooting if they land on the soil.
Mother of Thousands Indoor Care Final Thoughts
This plant is an excellent choice for indoor growers because it is very easy to care for and can thrive in a wide range of conditions.
It is important to note that Kalanchoe daigremontiana is poisonous to both humans and pets if ingested, so it is important to keep this plant out of reach of children and animals.
• Watering Mother of Thousands is a very drought-tolerant plant
• Lighting Mother of Thousands prefers bright indirect light
• Soil It needs a well-draining potting mix. A cactus or succulent mix will work well
• Fertilizing To give your plant a boost, you can feed it once a month with a diluted all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season.
• Pests Kalanchoe daigremontiana is fairly resistant to pests and diseases. Pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
If you are looking for an easy-to-care-for succulent that is sure to add interest to your indoor space, Mother of Thousands is a great choice!
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