Kalanchoe marmorata | Penwiper plant
€15,90
🌱 Morphology
Known as the penwiper plant or spotted kalanchoe. It is a perennial succulent with a shrubby habit, generally branched, which can reach about 40–50 cm in cultivation and exceed 1 m under natural conditions. The stems are erect or can lean slightly from the base.
The leaves are opposite, sessile or nearly sessile, fleshy, glaucous, and obovate to broadly elliptical in shape, potentially reaching about 20–25 cm in length in mature specimens. The margin can be entire, wavy, crenate, or dentate. The most distinctive feature is the irregular purple or purplish-brown spots that appear on the bluish-green background, creating a very characteristic marbled pattern.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Crassulaceae family. Its natural range extends through Eastern and Central Africa, from Eritrea and Ethiopia to Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and northern Tanzania. It mainly inhabits rocky slopes and open terrain in seasonally dry regions, generally between 1,200 and 2,400 m in altitude.
It is a species adapted to a marked alternation between periods of water availability and dry periods.
❄️ Temperature
USDA Zone 9b–11a
It comes from mountainous areas of East Africa and tolerates relatively cool temperatures if kept dry and well-ventilated, but it is not a frost-tolerant species. For safe cultivation, it is advisable to protect it when temperatures approach 5 °C, especially if there is moisture in the substrate.
In K. marmorata, relatively low nighttime temperatures may even contribute to floral induction, so it does not need to be kept excessively warm throughout the winter.
☀️ Lighting
It needs high light intensity to maintain compact growth and promote the purplish coloration of the leaves.
Indicative DLI PAR: 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.
It tolerates direct sun if acclimated progressively. In Mediterranean areas, during periods of maximum radiation and summer temperatures, it may be convenient to provide light protection during the central hours, while maintaining high luminosity and good ventilation. Full sun and excellent drainage.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Summer dormancy. It shows activity mainly during periods of moderate temperatures, while extreme heat can reduce its activity. In Mediterranean cultivation, it can maintain growth during autumn, mild winters, and spring.
It is recommended to water abundantly and then allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. During winter, especially with low temperatures, water intake should be notably reduced.
Excess moisture combined with low temperatures is one of the main risks for the roots.
🌸 Flowering
Flowering normally appears at the end of winter and during spring, by way of large, branched terminal inflorescences.
The flowers have a tubular corolla with extended lobes, generally white, although slightly pinkish tones may appear. Under suitable conditions, the inflorescences can reach about 25 cm.
The floral induction of this species is particularly interesting: experimental studies have observed that low nighttime temperatures can favor flowering, although the response also depends on the age and developmental state of the plant.
In Spain, flowering can occur approximately between February and April.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Suculentas is recommended, avoiding an excess of nitrogen that produces excessively large leaves and soft tissues.
Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración, especially when the plant has reached sufficient maturity and receives high lighting.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
13x13 cm gourmet black pot
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