Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mexican hat plant)

Botanical name

Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Other names

Mexican hat plant, Devil's backbone, Flopper, Mother of thousands, Alligator plant, Bryophyllum daigremontianum

Genus

Kalanchoe Kalanchoe

Species

daigremontiana - K. daigremontiana is a perennial succulent with fleshy green leaves, usually blotched with reddish-brown spots.
Tiny plantlets are produced on the toothed leaf margins and violet flowers are produced in panicles in winter.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Erect

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are poisonous.

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Colour

Flower

Violet in Winter

Foliage

Green, Spotted, Reddish-brown in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Mealybugs

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , Leaf spot

General care

Propagation methods

Leaf cuttings, Root plantlets, Seed, Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mexican hat plant) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Greenhouse, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Rock

Cultivation

Plant in free-draining compost and position in a bright spot with a minimum temperature of 12ºC. Allow the surface of the compost to dry out thoroughly between waterings. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser 3 to 4 times in the growing season.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mexican hat plant)

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/