Family: Crassulaceae

This very variable genus of around 125 species is widely distributed in tropical areas, especially tropical Africa and Madagascar. It now includes plants formerly classified with Bryophyllum. Many species are cultivated in the UK either under glass or as house plants. They have oppo­site, fleshy, deeply lobed or pinnate leaves and bear terminal flower clusters which appear in late winter or spring.

Species

K. beharensis, feltbush, probably the largest species, is a spreading shrub. The fleshy, heart-shaped leaves, up to 30 cm (12 in) long and about 20 cm (8 in) wide, are wavy-edged and covered with thick, brown felt which fades to green with age. The leaf scars on the thick stems become very hard and pointed, resem­bling large rose thorns. This species rarely flow­ers in cultivation.

K. blossfeldiana, flaming Katy, from Madagascar, is a small, shrubby perennial, to 30 cm (12 in), with red-margined, deep green leaves and dense sprays of small, bright red flowers which last for several weeks. Hybrids come in red to pink, orange to yellow, and almost white flowers.

K. delagoensis (Synonym: K. tubiflora), from Madagascar, has become naturalized in some parts of the world. It has reddish brown, spotted, cylindrical leaves, grooved on the upper sides, and bright orange-red, bell-shaped flowers.

K. fedtschenkoi is a popular succulent, to 50 cm (20 in), with many branches and trailing stems. It has glossy, blueish green, lobed leaves and sprays of lovely, purple or red, tubular flowers.

K. manginii looks very attractive in a hanging basket, pro­ducing drooping stems of small, green leaves, edged with red, and a profusion of bell-shaped, red or pink flowers.

K. pinnata, air plant, from tropical Africa and nearby islands, has become naturalized in many parts of the world. It pro­duces large, fleshy leaves on a stout, somewhat striped, purplish green stem and large, pendu­lous, bell-shaped flowers in green, with purple tips. Plantlets develop from the margins of the leaves. This species grows to 1 m (3 ft) tall.

K. pumila, from Madagascar, is a very beautiful plant, with gray, ovate leaves, covered in a white powder, and violet-pink flowers with rolled back petals. It grows to only 20 cm (8 in) high.

K. tomentosa, panda plant, to 50 cm (20 in), has felt-like stems and leaves, with brown markings on the edges. The pale yellow flowers are rarely seen in cultivation.

Cultivation

Except in warm frost-free climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conser­vatory, in pots of gritty, soil-based, potting compost. They need maximum light but should be shaded from direct, strong sun. When they are in growth, water moderately, and in winter keep compost barely moist. Propagate from stem cuttings, from plantlets which develop on leaves, or from offsets. Sow seed in spring and germinate at 21°C (70°F).

Climate

Warmer parts of zone 10.