Photo: Matthew FainmanCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Paddle Plant Plant Care
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Harv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is a species of flowering plant in the Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae) and native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. This plant is rare in cultivation, and those plants labelled as "Kalanchoe thyrsiflora" in horticulture are mostly another similar species, Kalanchoe luciae.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Paddle Plant?
Water Paddle 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 Paddle Plant Native To?
What Is the Paddle Plant?
Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Kalanchoe genus. Paddle Plant is native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. Paddle Plant is also known as Flapjack, Desert Cabbage, Panda Plant.
Paddle Plant displays a compact, bushy succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Paddle Plant produces small, colorful clusters of tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Paddle Plant?
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora 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 Paddle Plant Need?
Paddle Plant thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Paddle 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 Paddle Plant Prefer?
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Paddle Plant prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paddle Plant?
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Paddle Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Paddle Plant?
Feed Paddle 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 Paddle 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 Paddle Plant?
Paddle 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 Paddle 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 Paddle 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 Paddle Plant?
Paddle 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 Paddle Plant Need?
Paddle Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Paddle Plant is native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. In cooler regions, grow Paddle Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Paddle 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.
Paddle 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 thyrsiflora Harv., family Crassulaceae (first published in Fl. Cap. 2: 380 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Kalanchoe species (which includes Paddle Plant) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Matthew Fainman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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