Short succulent now over 2 feet tall

Oct 24, 2014

Flapjack Plant
by: Jacki

Hi Susan, this lovely plant is Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, and yours looks as though it’s going to bloom soon.

This is one plant that really does needs bright light – that’s why it’s got the ‘bloom’ or pruinose on it – that’s the white powdery coating all over the stem and leaves. It acts like sunscreen for plants.

There are actually a couple of different forms – the type that most people have is actually the Kalanchoe luciae, and there’s a tri colored one too. All are equally beautiful, and need the same care.

You can see more about this plant here; Flapjacks Plant.

Nov 01, 2015

How does it reproduce?
by: Jan

I have one that looks exactly like this- can I do cuttings from it and root them? If so, where do I cut them?

Nov 01, 2015

Propagate these plants
by: Jacki

Yes, Jan, you can easily take cuttings. You would cut right above another set of leaves, and then let the stem dry out (on the part you’ve cut off, which is your cutting) and then once it’s calloused, you can put that end in the dry sandy potting soil. You will see roots emerge from all over the bottom part of the stem in about two to three weeks, and then you can start watering it.

There is a lot more about this fascinating topic here.

Jan 31, 2017

I have one of these
by: Laci

It’s in a small pot the bottom leaves have either rotted or dried up in areas. Do I trim them back? Will tat leave the plant top heavy? It’s flowering right now. Do I trim that back after? Can I plant seeds and or flowers to grow another plant? Do I need to replant if I do cut lower leaves? Thanks!

Jan 31, 2017

Advice
by: Jacki

Laci, it sounds like your plant would be a good candidate for beheading. Or, starting a new plant from seed or a cutting. There are lots of options, too many to list here. Maybe you would be best to get the book.

Sep 18, 2017

Too tall kalanchoe thyrsiflora!
by: Amy Monroe

I have this Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora. It is two feet tall and a foot wide. How far can I cut this plant back? Will it just keep growing taller?

Sep 18, 2017

Pruning Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
by: Jacki

Amy. it will continue to grow taller and taller, unless you remove ‘apical dominance’ or the top of it.

All it needs is a few leaves at the bottom of the stem – a new bud will grow out of each leaf axil. See this page on pruning succulent plants – look at the diagrams in the lower part of the page, where it shows what happens when you cut the stem off.