The Kalanchoe delagoensis, or Mother of Millions plant, is a beautiful addition to any garden or home decor. This fast-growing plant can be used for decorative purposes both inside & outside your home, thanks to its characteristic leaves and blossoms.
You can only find the Crassulaceae family plant known as Kalanchoe Delagoensis in its native habitat of Madagascar. It’s also known as the “Mother of Millions” in some quarters.
Mother to countless millions, You can grow the plant indoors or out, provided that you provide it with the conditions it needs to flourish. This succulent would make a great decorative accent whether grown indoors or out.
Incorrectly identified as the allied species Kalanchoe Daigremontiana, or both names commonly known as Mother of Millions, the plant known as Kalanchoe Delegoensis. The second variety’s leaves are longer and wider than the first.
How to Care for Kalanchoe Delagoensis?
It’s not too difficult to cultivate Kalanchoe delagoensis, and it doesn’t require much attention to develop rapidly.
Light
Many plants can only attain their full potential when grown in direct sunlight. Some of these plants may thrive with less sunlight. However, it may reduce their flowering and the vibrancy of their leaves. The sun shines brightest on the south and west sides of structures.
The only time this isn’t the case is if houses or other buildings are so close together that they cast shadows on one another. When we say that the sun is out in full force, we usually mean that there will be at least 6 hours of bright, unfiltered daylight. Partial sun occurs when an area is lighted by the sun for more than 3 hours but less than six. Some plants need only a small amount of light to survive in one region, while others require full sunlight. Learn as much as possible about the plant’s needs before you buy it and put it in the ground.
Soil
The Kalanchoe delagoensis or Mexican Hat plant can be found in locations with poor or barren soil because it is not picky about its environment. However, in an ideal setting, they do best on the loose, sandy soil that drains well. You can buy a ready-made combination or make your own by mixing equal volumes of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.
Watering
The dry region of Madagascar nonetheless receives a wet and variable quantity of precipitation even during the wetter summer months. Precipitation is rare throughout the winter months. As a result, Kalanchoe delagoensis has gradually transformed into a succulent plant that can store water in its leaves and endure drought. The mother of millions will thrive best if you provide watering circumstances similar to those in its native environment.
Only water the Chandelier Plant when the soil is completely dry. You can easily see when the container has reached its lightweight state. Putting the Mother of Millions container into a bucket of warm water and letting it soak for a few hours is the best way to meet its watering demands. Next, remove any remaining water from the pot before replacing it on the saucer.
Temperature
The ideal growing temperature for a Chandelier plant is around 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, their development halts, and they may be harmed or even die if they are left in the cold for too long. Always bring them indoors as the weather outside begins to cool in the fall. When hot temps, you may need to water them more frequently.
Humidity
Even though the humidity in its native habitat is over 80%, the Chandelier Plant doesn’t have particularly picky humidity requirements. Kalanchoe delagoensis may survive in humidity as low as 20%, although it does best when the humidity is between 40% and 50%. It can, however, adapt to living in a lesser environment.
At higher elevations, though, its growth rate will quicken dramatically. A pebble tray filled with water and put under the plant should be sufficient for this purpose. Kalanchoe delagoensis should not be placed too close to a humidifier. This will prevent the surrounding air from becoming overly moist.
Fertilizer
If that is not your preference, you do not have to use any Kalanchoe delagoensis fertilizer, but consistent moderate feeding throughout the growing season will yield the best results. Choose a fertilizer with a 3-1-3 fertilizer ratio and extra iron, manganese, magnesium, and calcium for your Kalanchoe delagoensis plant.
Most of the nutrients your Kalanchoe delagoensis needs can be found in a fertilizer made especially for cacti. Fertilize your Kalanchoe delagoensis monthly in the spring and summer, but stop once your fertilizer forms bloom buds in the winter. After that, feed the plant a 3-1-4 ratio fertilizer every other week until it has done flowering. If you want the fertilizer to stay in the soil instead of washing away when you water your Kalanchoe delagoensis, remember to add it just after watering the plant.
Potting & Repotting
Kalanchoe delagoensis tend to outgrow their containers quickly, so you may need to repot your plant every few years. A sure sign that it’s time to do this is the appearance of roots poking through the bottom of the container. The best times to attack it are in the summer or spring or after it has finished blooming for the year. A container with drainage holes at the base and an extra inch or two of height is ideal. Plant it at the same depth you did in the previous container.
Pruning
Regular trimming can regulate the plant’s development and boost the foliage’s density. The pruning can be done in the spring or summer. The top should be clipped back with sharp, sterile snips to a point just above one of the larger leaves. This should cause it to begin sending out side shoots from its main stem. Deadheading or cutting off wilted flowers is another smart way to prevent them from taking up space.
Blooming
The chandelier plant is a common name because of the trumpet-shaped flower clusters at the end of long stalks near the stem’s base. The odorless blossoms may appear outside from late winter into early summer, but they are quite rare indoors. Their coloration can span from a pale salmon to a flaming pink or brilliant orange.
Size and Growth
The size of a chandelier plant varies according to the environment in which it is grown. When grown indoors, they typically reach a maximum height of around 40 inches; however, they can go as tall as 6 feet when grown outside.
The Kalanchoe delagoensis plant has an extremely high rate of development, and it can attain its maximum size in just one growing season. It is strongly recommended that you not grow Kalanchoe delagoensis outdoors, either in a container or directly in the ground. This is due to the ease with which it can reproduce independently.
Toxicity
The ASPCA warns that pets should avoid eating Kalanchoe delagoensis because it can be toxic if ingested. If you have dogs or cats, it’s best to keep them away from it.
Propagating
Kalanchoe delagoensis will reproduce independently regardless of your efforts, so you won’t have to do much. Now all you have to do is sit back and watch as it propagates. Plantlets, or young plants, growing at the top of the leaves of this succulent and can be easily dispersed to continue the species’ rapid reproduction. After some time, the plantlets will take root wherever they land and begin to grow.
You should probably keep an eye on the plant as it grows to ensure it doesn’t invade other areas of your garden. Locate the newly formed plantlets on the grow and transplant them into the mother plant’s original pot. Spreading an invasive situation where the plant’s roots spread everywhere is the goal.
Common Problems
Few problems are seen with Kalanchoe delagoensis. If you give Kalanchoe delagoensis what it requires, you won’t have any problems. However, the best method to ensure this succulent plant’s long-term survival is to address any problems as soon as they appear in the leaves.
Pests
Any of the numerous insects that commonly infest houseplants could be eating away at your Kalanchoe delagoensis. However, a monthly application of a solution containing neem oil or insecticidal soap to the Kalanchoe delagoensis leaves would keep most pests at bay.
Mealybugs can be seen in cottony clusters on the plant’s leaves and stems. Brownish blobs best describe the body of scale insects. Simply apply to rubbing alcohol to the affected areas to get rid of them. Aphids are often tiny insects that are either green or yellow in appearance and consume sap voraciously. Spider mites are not always easy to notice, but their webs and the yellow bumps they leave behind on the leaves are telltale signs of their presence. A thorough shower should be enough to get rid of both of these bugs.
Diseases
Problems with Kalanchoe delagoensis-specific diseases are relatively unusual. However, black mildew can develop on Kalanchoe delagoensis leaves if the air around the plant is too dry. Increase the relative humidity in the region and spray a fungicide on the plant’s leaves.
Kalanchoe delagoensis is susceptible to root rot when the soil is constantly soggy. The stems will soften, and the leaves will turn yellow and mushy. If the roots are becoming black and emitting a bad stench, you should cut out all the affected parts and replant the healthy parts in fresh soil. It may be necessary to start over with a limited number of plantlets if it has progressed too far.
Leaf Spots
Fungi and bacteria can also cause leaf spots. Sometimes brown or black spots and patches look ragged or round, and sometimes they have a watery look or a yellowish tinge at the edges. Insects, rain, contaminated gardening tools, and even people can all aid in its propagation.
If you notice any damaged leaves, wait until the plant is dry before removing them. Raking up and discarding fallen leaves around a plant’s stem and roots is essential. Whenever possible, water should be given at the same depth as the soil rather than sprayed on top of the plants. The best technique to treat fungal leaf spots is to apply a fungicide by the product label.
Kalanchoe delagoensis Leaves Turning Brown
Burning from the sun or dehydration from a lengthy drought are potential causes of browning leaves. They should be protected from the direct sun during the hottest time of the day, and the soil should not be allowed to become extremely dry for long periods.
Kalanchoe delagoensis Leaves Shriveling
Leaves that have grown crinkled or reduced in appearance could result from several factors. The leaves may wrinkle and wilt when there is an abundance of water, but they will dry and curl when there is an abundance of sun.
A bright spot is fine, but make sure they aren’t in the direct afternoon sun. They should be watered when the top few cm of soil are dried, but not let sit in water. We hope this aids in the prevention of rotting.
Plant or Kalanchoe delagoensis Leaves Falling Over.
The Kalanchoe delagoensis may have fallen over because it became top-heavy or because of an accumulation of water. They can grow rather tall. Therefore, they need to be repotted into a new, larger, and more sturdy pot every few years. However, plants that appear lifeless, wilting, and drooping are experiencing an overabundance of moisture that will eventually cause them to rot and tumble over at the base.
