Image: AI generated
Mother Of Thousands Plant Care
Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kalanchoe daigremontiana, formerly known as Bryophyllum daigremontianum and commonly called mother of thousands, alligator plant or Mexican hat plant, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Like other members of Bryophyllum, it can propagate vegetatively from plantlets that develop on its leaf margins, as well as through upshoots from lateral roots, and seeds.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mother Of Thousands?
Water Mother Of Thousands every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Mother Of Thousands Native To?
What Is the Mother Of Thousands?
Mother Of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Kalanchoe genus. Mother Of Thousands is native to Madagascar. Mother Of Thousands is also known as Devil's Backbone, Mexican Hat Plant, Kalanchoe.
Mother Of Thousands displays a compact, bushy succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mother Of Thousands produces small, colorful clusters of tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mother Of Thousands?
Kalanchoe daigremontiana requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mother Of Thousands Need?
Mother Of Thousands thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Mother Of Thousands in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mother Of Thousands Prefer?
Kalanchoe daigremontiana grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Mother Of Thousands prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mother Of Thousands?
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Mother Of Thousands to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mother Of Thousands?
Feed Mother Of Thousands every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mother Of Thousands?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mother Of Thousands?
Mother Of Thousands can be propagated through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kalanchoe plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mother Of Thousands Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Kalanchoe species (which includes Mother Of Thousands). View the ASPCA entry
Toxic to pets, mildly toxic to humans
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mother Of Thousands?
Mother Of Thousands is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mother Of Thousands Need?
Mother Of Thousands grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Mother Of Thousands is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Mother Of Thousands as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12
Keep exploring plants
Mother Of Thousands is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Kalanchoe genus — compare its care with other Kalanchoe species on PlantoScan.
Kalanchoe is part of the Crassulaceae plant family — browse all Crassulaceae genera and species.
Mother Of Thousands thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier, family Crassulaceae (first published in Ann. Mus. Colon. Marseille , sér. 3, 2: 128 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Kalanchoe species (which includes Mother Of Thousands) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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