How to Grow and Care for Mother of Thousands

Mouther of thousands, also known as chandelier plant, mother of millions, and devil's backbone, refers to a variety of species in the Kalanchoe genus, each of which has a signature growth pattern in which many plantlets grow around the ridges of their scalloped leaves. Mother of thousands thrives in full sunlight, well-draining soil, and low humidity.

Be cautious growing mother of thousands, as it is toxic to both people and pets.

Mother of Thousands Care

Mother of thousands is easy to grow outside and as a houseplant. Here are the main care requirements for a mother of thousands:

• Choose a sunny spot that receives full or partial sun; indoors, place near a sunny window.
• Prepare well-draining soil that will not retain moisture for long.
• When the soil is completely dry, water deeply.
• Fertilize lightly during the growing months.

Light

The mother of thousands prefers a bright spot in your home where it can appreciate several hours of light. However, too much direct and intense afternoon sun can result in leaf scorch, so position them in indirect light.

Soil

As with most succulents, your Kalanchoe daigremontiana will need a well-drained potting medium—standing water is a big issue for this plant. Many enthusiasts use a cactus mix, and others might mix sand or perlite into a standard potting soil. Using a clay pot is desirable; it helps absorb excess moisture and takes it away from the plant.

Water

The mother of thousands is drought-tolerant, but not as much as many succulent species. It'll do better if it receives regular and gradual hydration, especially during its growing season. Still, it only needs water once every few weeks, even in spring and summer. It won't be a major problem if you forget now and again.

Once the first couple of inches of the soil surface is dry, then you should rewater. By gradually dampening the soil, you won't risk oversaturating the roots. During the fall and winter, reduce watering. Overwatering will cause limp leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Mother of thousand plants usually prefers temperatures around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure it doesn't receive too much intense, direct sunlight. The plant should return inside before the temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

Most Kalanchoe species, including the mother of thousands, can live without regular fertilization.

Types of Mother of Thousands

There are a variety of members of the Kalanchoe genus that have the classic mother of thousands growth pattern. Here are just a few:

• K. daigremontiana has green leaves, sometimes with purple stripes, whose plantlets can appear in a range of colors from green to pink.
• K. delagoensis is more often referred to as "mother of millions" due to the copious amount of plantlets that grow around its leaf margins; these plants are more silvery grey in color.
• K. fedtschenkoi has attractive blue leaves with pink margins that become even more colorful when grown in bright light; sometimes called "lavender scallops."
• K. blossfeldiana offers waxy green leaves and bold flowers in a range of colors, including red, orange, and yellow; this plant does not offer the signature mother of thousands offshoots along its leaf edges but is frequently lumped in with mother of thousands as a similar-looking Kalanchoe.
  

Pruning

Other than removing dead stalks and dropped plantlets, the plant doesn't have any other pruning requirements.

Propagating Mother of Thousands

The mother of thousands is easily propagated from the plantlets it produces rather than from seeds. The plantlets are usually ready to remove as the main plant heads towards its dormancy period in the winter. They'll fall off naturally, or you can remove them from the leaf they're attached to if they're ready to detach without you applying a lot of pressure. Lay the plantlets on the surface of a well-drained and damp potting medium where they'll begin to take root.

Potting and Repotting Mother of Thousands

Generally, the only time you'll need to do some repotting is if fallen plantlets have begun to take root in the pot of the mother plant. These should be removed and disposed of, or replanted in another container with good drainage.

If your mother of thousands plants has truly outgrown its pot — with roots coming out of the bottom and/or the plant being so large that the pot topples over — seek out a similar pot with a diameter that is just one size up. Prepare well-draining soil for your new pot, and gently transfer the plant.

Overwintering

Bring your mother of thousands inside for the winter, unless you are in a warmer region where it's hardy. The plant cannot tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If your plant moves inside, do not put it too close to a heater. Direct heat can damage the leaves and dry out the plant quicker than it can handle.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Mealybugs and aphids can be a problem for mother of thousands plants, especially when grown indoors among other houseplants. Luckily, the mother of thousands succulent is not commonly associated with any plant diseases.

How to Get Mother of Thousands to Bloom

Mother of thousands plants bloom readily in proper conditions, especially when they receive enough sunlight.

Bloom Months

The bloom months for mother of thousands depends on the species, with some blooming in spring, some blooming in winter, and some blooming year-round, especially when grown outdoors.

What Do Mother of Thousands Flowers Look and Smell Like

The flowers for mother of thousands plants vary from species to species, but their growth pattern is relatively similar. The plants shoot up stalks that have clusters of flowers at the top. For most species, such as K. fedtschenkoi, the flowers hang downwards from the stem and form bell shapes. The flowers vary in fragrance as well, but the scent tends to be light and sweet.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To encourage more blooms, make sure mother of thousands succulents are receiving ample light and are not nutrient-deficient.

Caring for Mother of Thousands After It Blooms

Mother of thousands plants do not require any unique care after blooming. Deadhead the spent stems, and continue to care for the plant as you have been.

Deadheading Mother of Thousands

When it comes to mother of thousands, deadheading spent blooms will stimulate the growth of new flowers.