Kalanchoë Fang
The Kalanchoë Fang is an exceptional specimen in the world of succulents, as surprising in appearance as in texture. Native to the arid regions of Madagascar, this plant immediately stands out with its unusual foliage and robust structure. Its large fleshy leaves display a grayish-green hue, sometimes slightly bluish, and are covered with a fine whitish fuzz with a velvety touch. This downy veil further enhances its mysterious charm. But it is especially the curious protrusions located on the underside of the leaves, resembling small reddish fangs, that give it its evocative nickname: “Fang”.
With its upright then branching habit, Kalanchoë Fang can reach between 50 and 70 cm in height, or even more with age. It then forms a compact shrub with prehistoric, almost unreal looks, as if straight out of another world. Its unique appearance makes it a plant of choice for original compositions, contemporary settings or lovers of unusual plants. It is grown both in pots indoors and outdoors in regions with mild climates, where it becomes a centerpiece of rock gardens or dry gardens.
🌞 Bright light to full sun : Ideally placed near a south-facing window or outdoors once temperatures exceed 15°C.
🌤️ Avoid prolonged shade : Lack of light can cause stretching, loss of compactness and foliage discoloration.
🌱 Growing period (spring-summer) : Water every 15 to 20 days, once the substrate is completely dry.
🍂 Winter : Drastically reduce watering, or stop completely if the plant is kept cool.
⚠️ Warning : Excess water is the main danger for this plant; it can cause irreversible rot.
🌡️ Ideal temperature : Between 18°C and 25°C.
❄️ Minimum : Never expose below 5°C. Bring indoors as soon as nights become cooler.
🪨 Mix a cactus substrate in equal parts with perlite or pozzolana. This mixture efficiently aerates the roots and prevents excess moisture.
🌸 Period : Often in winter, when days become shorter.
🎨 Colors : Red to orange tubular flowers in upright panicles.
🌿 Note : Abundant flowering requires a mature plant, well exposed to light, with slight water stress in autumn.
