Devil's Backbone (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)

El Kalanchoe daigremontiana it is one of the easiest to care for succulent plant species of the entire genus. It has a reasonably fast growth rate, and as it produces numerous suckers from the margins of the leaves that root very well, it is easy to get new specimens in a short period of time.

But to keep it healthy it is important that some things are taken into account. Things that I will tell you next.

Origin and characteristics of Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Our protagonist is a crass plant known as the devil's spider or backbone endemic to Madagascar, where it is in danger of extinction. It develops an erect stem which can reach up to 1 meter in height., from which opposite, fleshy and oblong-lanceolate leaves sprout 15 to 20 centimeters long and 4-5 cm wide. These have jagged margins, and are green on the upper side and with purple spots on the underside.

It blooms very occasionally. When it does, the main stem lengthens about 30 centimeters, and from it sprouts a compound cluster that takes on the shape of an umbrella with pink and bell-shaped flowers.

What are the care it requires?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Climate

When we are going to acquire a plant it is important to first find out if it would support and if it could live well in the climate we have, especially if we want to grow it outdoors.

In the case of the devil's backbone, being endemic to Madagascar, that is, in an area where they have a warm climate, no frosts or very, very weak, it must be borne in mind that if we expose it to a temperature below 0 degrees it will suffer damage.

Location

El Kalanchoe daigremontiana It is a plant that, whenever the weather is good, must be outside, in full sun.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is not demanding at all. You can fill it with the universal substrate that they sell in any nursery, garden store or No products found..
• Garden: grows in all types of soils, as long as they have good drainage. In any case, as it produces many suckers, we do not recommend having it in the garden, since it could get out of control and end up occupying a larger space than desired.

Irrigation

It tolerates drought very well, but not waterlogging. Although, this does not mean that it should be left without watering for months  . In fact, It is a plant that welcomes one or two waterings a week during the hottest season, and another every 10 or 15 days the rest of the year.

When you water, it is important that the soil or substrate is very moist. Therefore, make sure that the water comes out through the drainage holes if you have it in a pot, or that the soil is soaked if it is in the garden. In addition, you should not wet the leaves, since otherwise they could rot.

Subscriber

It really is not very necessary. The Kalanchoe daigremontiana grows well on poor land. But it is true that, if it is grown in a pot, it is recommended to fertilize it from time to time with specific fertilizers for cacti and other succulents that you will find for sale. No products found..

Follow the instructions specified on the product packaging as this will avoid the risk of overdose.

Plagues and diseases

It's very tough. In fact, the only problems you usually have are those caused by molluscs (snails and slugs) in the rainy season. But fortunately, they can be kept away with diatomaceous earth (for sale No products found.), or wrapping the plant with a mosquito net temporarily.

Planting or transplanting time

If you want to plant it in the garden or move to a larger pot, you have to wait for spring to come and the minimum temperature is higher than 15 degrees Celsius.

To know if you need a larger container you have to look at:

• if the roots come out of the drainage holes,
• if it has been planted for a long time (more than 3 years) in the same pot,
• if it has had its growth.

If that is the case, a transplant will be required  .

Pruning

More than I could, what is advised to do is to remove the suckers that are coming out of the margins, since if they fall in other pots or in the garden, they will root and you would end up having Kalanchoe daigremontiana in places you don't want to have.

Reproduction

Although it sometimes produces seeds, which are sown in spring in pots with universal substrate, the method that is most used is multiplication by suckers. These are separated from the mother plant as soon as they are of a size that can be easily manipulated, and are planted in small pots of about 5,5 cm in diameter with universal substrate.

Rusticity

It lives in warm climates, preferring those that do not have frosts. However, from my own experience I will tell you that if drop to -2ºC in a timely manner will not suffer too much. Although, yes, hail damages the leaves.

If you are in a place where winters are very cold, keep it indoors in a bright room without drafts.

What uses is given to Kalanchoe daigremontiana?

Is used as ornamental plantIf It is very easy to care for, and it is also a plant with great ornamental value. 

Is it medicinal?

No, it is a toxic plant. If the dose is exceeded (supposedly 35g of leaves), the affected person may have:

• burning, swelling, or redness of the skin
• hypotension
• tachycardias
• anaphylatic shock

We have not found any scientific study that supports the supposed medicinal properties that it has, but several on the adverse effects (such as this, which focuses on the consequences of taking it for a short time).

Therefore, before taking unnecessary risks, we advise consulting a doctor.

Where to buy?

It is a plant that they sell in nurseries, garden stores, and also here:

What did you think of the Kalanchoe daigremontiana?