Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi: How to Care for Lavender Scallops Plants


Key Takeaways

  • Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi, also called Lavender Scallops, is a succulent plant that belongs to the Kalanchoe genus.
  • The leaves of Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi are blue-green with creamy variegation along the scalloped edges and are considered a small succulent that grows to be about 1 to 2 feet tall.
  • These plants are fairly easy to take of:
    • Water: They don’t need much water. Water them once every two weeks or when the top of the soil dries out. In the winter, you can water them once a month as they will go dormant during this time of year.
    • Sunlight: They need bright, indirect sunlight. Best place They can also grow in direct sunlight, but you should keep them out of strong sunlight so their foliage doesn’t burn.
    • Soil: The plant requires potting soil that is well-draining, organic, light, and airy.
    • Temperature: They thrive in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit is fatal to the plant.

What is a Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi?

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi, most commonly known as Lavender Scallops, is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for succulent plant that belongs to the Kalanchoe genus of perennial plants.

Native to Madagascar, it is named after Boris Alexeevich Fedtschenko, a Russian botanist who discovered the plant in Central Asia in the late 1800s.

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi has blue-green leaves with creamy variegation along the scalloped edges, making it a great plant to add to any home decor.

It’s considered a miniature succulent and grows to be about 1-2 feet tall, and its stems grow along the ground from the root, developing colonies of succulent leaves.

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi is a low-growing, frost-tender perennial succulent that prefers dry, open ground.

It grows multiple fleshy leaves in a rosette form, has upright stems, and even produces tiny pink loose clusters of flowers that add to the beauty of this plant.

The blooming occurs in late spring or early summer, and the pink blooms are bell-shaped. Each flower bloom is about 1 inch in length.

This succulent variety goes by several names, including Variegated Lavender Scallops, Gray Sedum, Kalanchoes Stonecrop, and South American Air Plant.

It can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but it is best suited for indoor growing as it requires bright sunlight and well-draining, porous soil.

Pruning leggy branches as needed is also recommended.

Watering should be done infrequently, no more than once a week, and the soil should look and feel dry.

In contrast to other plants, the Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is 10 times more water-efficient than important crops like wheat because it catches the majority of its carbon dioxide during the night, when the air is colder and more humid.[1]

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How to Care for Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Succulent Plants

Temperature

It prefers temperatures between 64 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 20 degrees Celsius) as an indoor plant.

You can grow this succulent outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b for an eye-catching display.

In addition, Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi is a frost-sensitive plant, so avoid leaving it outdoors in cold weather.

Luckily, this variety is not fussy about the air humidity levels, so it will thrive almost anywhere in your house.

Light

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A great place to keep them is on a windowsill where it gets bright light.

Getting the light requirements right during the summer season is extremely important for the growth of this plant.

Place it near south or west-facing windows indoors. It can grow under the shade of tall plants where it receives partial sunlight.

Avoid keeping it under low light for an extended period, or the plant will not grow properly.

The intensity of light on this plant is responsible for the color of the scalloped edges and cream-colored variegation.

However, it would be best to protect it from harsh direct sunlight as it can damage the foliage.

Watering

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi is a drought-tolerant plant, and succulent leaves can store moisture.

Unlike some other plants that need regular watering, this tolerant plant does not need much water, even during the hot summer months.

Be cautious about watering as this plant is sensitive to overwatering.

It would be best to water this succulent once a week in hot weather. But always allow the potting soil to dry in between waterings.

The watering frequency depends on several factors, but you have to water the Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi only when the top few inches of potting soil are dry.

Reduce watering during the winter time when the plant is not growing actively.

Soil and Fertilizer

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Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi needs a well-draining, porous soil mixture that guarantees protection from overwatering.

Young Fedtschenkoi plants are prone to root rot infections . If any mold starts growing in the soil, it will halt its growth.

Create a porous potting mix using sand and perlite or a premade succulent mix.

Fertilizing will help plant growth, so feed the Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi once or twice a week in the growing season. Fertilized plants also grow thicker leaves.

Soluble fertilizer works best for potted succulents. Do not feed it in winter; otherwise, you might end up killing this tiny succulent.

Repotting

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi should be repotted once a year.

The growth rate of your tiny plant will increase as repotting improves the growing conditions.

Repotting should be done carefully to avoid damaging the roots or the leaves.

Pruning

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi should be pruned to remove any leggy growth on the upright stems.

As the plant ages, some leaves will start withering, which should be pruned to conserve plant energy.

Common Pests

Only two pests can create issues for this hardy houseplant; spider mites and mealybugs.

These can be removed by spraying with water, but if the bugs keep reappearing, you can use neem oil or rubbing alcohol.

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Propagation

This is such a pretty succulent variety that you will not be satisfied with a single plant.

Propagation will help you add more Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi to the houseplant collection.

This unique succulent produces tiny plantlets on the edges of its leaves, which allows you to propagate it using just leaves.

Another approach is to take a few healthy leaf cuttings from the mother plant and leave them in an outdoor area. Let the cuts heal under the sun.

Make sure you handle the plant with care while taking leaf cuttings.

Using a rooting hormone solution is optional. Newly propagated leaves will start growing within 2-3 weeks.

Propagate Lavender Scallops leaves in a succulent, porous soil mix that drains well.

This succulent can also be propagated via seed propagation. The seeds are collected from the blooms.

Wait for the flower blooms to dry before using them for seed collection.

FAQ

How fast do Lavender Scallops grow?

Lavender Scallops plants are slow-growing. After a year or two, it will most likely only grow to a height of 12 inches. Gardeners wishing for a little houseplant plant with rich, dark green leaves might consider these to add to their succulent garden.

Can you propagate Lavender Scallops?

Seeds, cuttings, division, or the plantlets of the Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi that emerge on the container’s edges are the most efficient means of propagating. If you want to plant this variety in the ground, the stems will drop and produce new offspring. Lastly, this plant will not do well with water propagation as a water-sensitive succulent. It would be best if you propagated it in a porous soil medium.

Are Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Plants Toxic?

Yes, lavender scallop plants are indeed toxic when ingested. You should definitely keep these plants away from small children and pets.[2]

How often should I water Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi?

Every few days, dip your finger in the dirt, and as soon as the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry, it’s time to water your Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi. If your plant is indoors, you can probably get away with watering every two or three weeks, but make sure you check on it often.

Other Kalanchoe plants to consider

Lavender Scallops is a compact succulent adorning your houseplant collection with scalloped leaf margins. In suitable warm climates, Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi makes a perfect ground cover.

Below are just some examples of other Kalanchoe plants you might want to grow. Also, do check out our more comprehensive list of various types of kalanchoe succulents.

  • Kalanchoe marnieriana: More commonly named the Marnier’s Kalanchoe, this succulent is known for its flowers. If the brightly colored leaves and interesting shape of this plant’s leaves aren’t enough to convince you to grow it in your garden, the bright pinkish-red flowers that bloom in the spring might.
  • Kalanchoe tubiflora: Most know this plant as the “Mother of Millions” or “Chandelier plant.” It’s one of the most interesting types of succulents because they produce a ton of little plantlets that can grow into new plants on their own. There are so many of these plantlets that grow along the edges of their leaves, it is no wonder it’s called the “Mother of Millions” plant.
  • Kalanchoe beharensis: You might know this as the Velvet Elephant Ear, Velvet Leaf Plant, and Felt Bush. These nicknames come from the fact that the leaves have a shape and size that look like elephant ears. They are hardy plants that can be grown outside that look great in your landscaping, yard, or garden.

References

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