Paddle plant

Paddle plant key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Each rosette dies after flowering and is renewed by offsets

Size

Leaves (6-)8-12(-14) cm long; flowering stem 70-150 cm tall

Watering

A little slow-release or liquid fertiliser in the summer growing season

Light & Placement

It is a summer grower (April-September). Keep it outdoors in a sunny, airy spot while growing; it handles heat well and keeps growing through summer.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the surface dries while growing. From October to March keep it dry apart from misting once or twice a month, and resume watering gradually when new growth starts in spring.

Temperature & Overwintering

It is cold-tender: growth slows below about 10°C, so overwinter it in a bright room. Cool nights redden the leaves, but protect it from hard freezes.

Soil & Repotting

Use a free-draining mix and repot every 2-3 years just before or early in the growing season.

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets from the base. Note that K. luciae, often sold as this plant, is said not to root from leaf cuttings.

Pests & Cautions

Scale insects and aphids may attack stems and leaves and root mealybugs the roots. Slug damage scars the leaves permanently. Avoid handling the leaves, as the white bloom rubs off.

About Paddle plant

Paddle plant (Kalanchoe): a beginner-friendly succulent with big, powdery round leaves that redden in sun. Tips on light, watering and offsets.

7 things to know before growing Paddle plant

1. 1Give it bright light

   It prefers a bright, airy spot. Good light keeps the leaves compact and helps the red edging develop. In a dim room the growth tends to stretch, so a window sill or other bright place suits it best.

2. 2Water only when dry

   The leaves store water, so overwatering can lead to root rot. Wait until the soil is dry through the pot, not just on the surface, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Pour gently at the base so you do not wash the powder off the leaves.

3. 3Soil and pot choice

   Choose a free-draining mix. Ready-made succulent and cactus soil is the easy option, and you can adjust it with akadama or pumice. Use a pot with a drainage hole and avoid one that is too large, which makes it easier to keep the roots from staying wet.

4. 4Repot in spring as growth begins

   As a summer grower active from April to September, repot when the roots fill the pot, in spring (around April) as the growing season begins; every two to three years is a rough guide. Shake off the old soil, trim any damaged roots, and hold back on water for a while afterward so the roots can recover. The large leaves make it top-heavy, so a stable pot helps prevent tipping.

5. 5Summer growth, winter rest

   It handles heat well and keeps growing through summer. During the April-to-September growing season, keep it outdoors in a sunny, airy spot and water thoroughly when the soil surface dries. It dislikes cold and slows down once lows drop below 10°C, so overwinter it in a bright indoor spot. During dormancy from October to March, keep it dry with just a light misting once or twice a month, then gradually resume watering when new growth starts in spring.

6. 6Choosing a healthy plant

   Look for thick, firm leaves with an even coat of white powder. Check that there are no scars, dark patches or soft, shriveled areas, and that the base of the plant is not wobbly. The powder rubs off when touched, so pick the plant up by the pot rather than the leaves.

7. 7Offsets after flowering

   When it flowers, the stalk grows about 70–150 cm tall, and the rosette that bloomed will die afterward. Offsets form at the base, though, and growing them on lets you renew the plant and keep it going. Do not be alarmed by flowering; just watch how the offsets develop.

Frequently asked questions about Paddle plant

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it is generally considered beginner-friendly. Give it bright light and let the soil dry out between waterings, and it is a fairly easy succulent to look after.

Q.Are red leaf edges a sign of disease?

A.Usually not. Red edging is the plant's normal response to sunlight. If leaves turn soft or blackish instead, suspect overwatering and check how wet the soil is.

Q.Does the plant die after it flowers?

A.The rosette that flowers does die, but offsets at the base take over. If you grow the offsets on, the plant renews itself.

Q.Does the white powder wash off?

A.Touching or splashing the leaves can rub the powder off and leave visible marks. Water at the base of the plant and handle it by the pot, not the leaves.

Q.How big does it get?

A.Leaves are typically 8–12 cm long, ranging from about 6 cm to 14 cm. When it flowers, the stalk reaches 70–150 cm tall.

Handy Growing Tools for Paddle plant

Learn more about Paddle plant in the encyclopedia

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