Xylem & Phloem

Though I stick things in the ground with abandon outdoors, I'm a bit more timid with indoor plants, and my collection has been rather slow to accumulate. This week's Plant Obsession may be an all-year indoor plant in some climates, or an all-year outdoor plant in others, but here in Dallas 7b, the Paddle Plant loves the summer heat outdoors and then must be pulled inside over winter.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (also commonly known as "Flapjacks") was one of this summer's most exciting surprises for me, and one of the reasons that I have started to love succulents. Purchased in the spring from a home warehouse store (gasp!), my plant has nearly tripled in size and width over the summer with absolutely no care whatsoever aside from one repotting.

Once the cool weather arrived in our area, I pulled the plant inside and it is now displayed proudly in my kitchen. After researching growth habits, I've been pinching it to maintain bushiness, and I was surprised to watch how quickly the lateral buds developed.

Click here to see current photos of my Kalanchoe thyrsiflora. (Note: The leaves turn more red in full sun.)

Additional resources for information on Kalanchoe thyrsiflora "Paddle Plant":

Dave's Garden Plantfiles Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

Stoke's Tropicals