Image: AI generated
Flapjack Plant Plant Care
Kalanchoe luciae Raym.-Hamet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kalanchoe luciae, the paddle plant or flapjacks, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Kalanchoe, native to northeast South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Flapjack Plant?
Water Flapjack Plant 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 Flapjack Plant Native To?
What Is the Flapjack Plant?
Flapjack Plant (Kalanchoe luciae) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Kalanchoe genus. Flapjack Plant is native to northeast South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Flapjack Plant is also known as Paddle Plant, Desert Cabbage, Red Pancakes.
Flapjack Plant displays a compact, bushy succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Flapjack Plant produces small, colorful clusters of tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Flapjack Plant?
Kalanchoe luciae 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 Flapjack Plant Need?
Flapjack Plant thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Flapjack Plant 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 Flapjack Plant Prefer?
Kalanchoe luciae grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Flapjack Plant prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Flapjack Plant?
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Flapjack Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Flapjack Plant?
Feed Flapjack Plant 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 Flapjack Plant?
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 Flapjack Plant?
Flapjack Plant 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 Flapjack Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Kalanchoe species (which includes Flapjack Plant). 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 Flapjack Plant?
Flapjack Plant 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 Flapjack Plant Need?
Flapjack Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Flapjack Plant is native to northeast South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In cooler regions, grow Flapjack Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Flapjack Plant 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.
Flapjack Plant 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 luciae Raym.-Hamet, family Crassulaceae (first published in Bull. Herb. Boissier , sér. 2, 8: 256 (1908)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Kalanchoe species (which includes Flapjack Plant) 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 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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