MEXICAN HAT PLANT
Kalanchoe daigremontiana
This amazing plant has large, fleshy leaves, grows quickly, and is easy to keep. It is known as “mother of thousands”—and you can see why, as it produces hundreds of baby plants around its leaf edge. Grow these on to share the love and connect with friends and family.
Help me feel at home
I am native to Madagascar, so I am used to growing in rocky and dry places. That’s why it’s best to pot me up using a cactus potting mix. Alternatively, you can try adding sand to an all-purpose mix to help drainage.
Let’s make babies
I live for only around two years, but I keep going by producing more baby plants than you can handle. Plantlets will keep falling off me, so fill pots or a seed tray with cactus compost and lightly touch the soil with the base of a plantlet—it will soon take.
I’m out of this world
I was sent into space to Salyut 6, the Soviet space station, in 1979 to boost the mood and morale of the crew. Originally sent for research purposes, plants like me were soon found to help calm the cosmonauts on board and alleviate loneliness and depression.
My leaves are amazing
I rarely bloom when kept indoors—it’s my water-storing succulent leaves that I’m known for. Their edges are fascinating—they look almost like a spinal cord with lots of segments, which explains my other common name: “devil’s backbone.”
I like a vacation
Although I’m a happy houseplant, I’d quite like to be outside for the summer. Gradually introduce me to the outdoors by first letting me sit in a little morning sun, then place me in bright, indirect light. Bring me back inside before temperatures drop below 39°F (4°C).
Help me thrive
POSITION A sunny windowsill is ideal for this plant. It can even spend the summer outside, but make sure it’s gradually introduced outdoors.
POTTING Repot into the next size up when the roots outgrow the container, using a loam-based compost with added grit.
GROWTH RATE These plants are fast growing and can ultimately reach a height of 3¼ft (1m) and a width of 1ft (30cm).
CARE Water when the soil starts to dry out in summer and feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Reduce watering to a minimum in winter.
BE AWARE: I am harmful if eaten, so keep me away from young children and pets.