Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka Mother Of Millions

Taxonomy

Kalanchoe daigremontiana, formerly known as Bryophyllum daigremontianum, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Commonly called mother of thousands, devil's backbone, alligator plant, or Mexican hat plant, it can propagate vegetatively from plantlets that develop on its leaf margins, as well as through upshoots from lateral roots, and seeds. All parts of this species contain a very toxic steroid known as daigremontianin. Its leaves can grow up to 6 inches long, and can also be spotted or striped. Its relatively low maintenance and ability to survive droughts makes it easy to grow in average room conditions. All parts of Kalanchoe daigremontiana are poisonous, so it should be kept out of reach of children and pets. This plant belongs to the Kalanchoe genus, which is native to Madagascar and tropical Africa, and is commonly referred to as Ka-lun-koh-ee in Cantonese.

Common names

Mother Of Millions, Mother Of Thousands, Devil's Backbone

How to care for Mother Of Millions

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Mother Of Millions due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Mother Of Millions does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

When it comes to the Mother Of Millions, a potting soil that is too moist can cause problems. For this reason, it's important to use a soil mix that is well-draining and does not retain too much moisture. A soil that includes perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. You can achieve this by simply adding a few scoops of perlite to your store-bought cactus soil.

Lighting

Mother Of Millions thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Devil's Backbone.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Mother Of Millions to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Mother Of Millions is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

Mother Of Millions enjoys dry environments, but misting the plant or providing extra humidity can create an environment for harmful fungi to thrive on the leaves.

Fertilizer

The Mother Of Millions should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Mother Of Millions grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Mother Of Millions’s native range is Madagascar and Tropical Africa.

Flower

Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Mother Of Millions blooming.


More info:
Wikipedia