Looking for a unique houseplant that would make the beholder get a pleasantly surprised appearance? Mother of Thousands could be an apt choice here.
What is a Mother of Thousands plant?
Mother of thousands, a tolerant and low-maintenance succulent, is a great choice if you are seeking a distinctive and unchallenging houseplant. The succulent plant Kalanchoe Daigremontiana, also called alligator plant, devil’s backbone, or Mexican hat plant, is indigenous to Madagascar’s tropical and subtropical regions. It was originally known as Bryophyllum Daigremontianum.
It may reproduce vegetatively using plantlets that form on its leaf edges and create innovative root systems, seeds, and other Bryophyllum species.
Source: Pinterest
Mother of Thousands: Quick facts
| Botanical name | Kalanchoe daigremontiana |
| Type | Succulent |
| Leaf type | Unusually-shaped leaves |
| Flower | Greyish-pink |
| Varieties available | Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe x laetivirens |
| Also known as | Alligator plant, devil’s backbone |
| Height | Three ft. tall |
| Season | Winter |
| Sun exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Ideal temperature | 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Soil type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acid, neutral, alkaline |
| Basic requirements | A newborn plantlet should be placed in a bright window on top of well-drained soil, such as cactus soil mix |
| Ideal location for placement | The mother of thousands favours a bright location in your home where it can enjoy several hours of light |
| Ideal season to grow | Spring |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
Mother of Thousands: What does the plant look like?
The plant gets its name from the numerous tiny plants sprouting along the edges of its serrated leaves, making it ideal for beginners new to caring for houseplants. The maturation period ranges from two to five years.
It features tiny, tubular, suspended greyish-pink flowers that blossom outside at the beginning of the warm season; the plant frequently withers after blooming. The Kalanchoe Daigremontiana is particularly simple to propagate from, thanks to these plantlets. It differs from other Kalanchoe species with more impressive blossoms.
Mother of thousands: How to grow?
The Kalanchoe Daigremontiana is a hardy plant that can withstand heat and dryness. In colder or more temperate zones, it will not thrive. It is often maintained as a simple houseplant. If you prefer to grow it outside, wait until the summer, when the weather is warmer, to do so.
Propagating
The succulent mother of thousands produces several tiny plants around the main plant. The tiny plant sticks out haphazardly and looks like they are falling off the main plant.
This makes the propagation of the mother of thousands an interesting feature.
Instead of starting from seeds, the mother of thousands may be readily replicated first from the plantlets it creates. As the parent plant approaches its winter hibernation phase, the plants are often ready to be removed.
They will naturally fall off, or if they are prepared to separate without much pressure from you, you may take them off the leaf they are clinging to. Succulents may be propagated in any season, although summer is the best. Interior plants may be multiplied at any time of year because of constant environmental conditions.
Steps to propagate the Mother of Thousands from plantlets
- The tiny plants get formed without roots, so you should wait until the plant’s roots develop.
- Propagate from a strong mother plant; Avoid using the main plant with withered leaves or rotten roots.
- Place the cut plants in a damp towel so they do not dry out. If the roots are not fully developed, leave them on moist paper until they grow.
- Take a small pot, fill it with soil, and add water. Use a soil type that has better draining and suits the mother of thousands succulent well. The best soil type is the cactus mix you can obtain from a nearby plant nursery, or you can make your own mix using peat moss, soil, and sand.
- Now, place the succulents gently and with extra care in the pot, with around a 1-inch distance between the tiny plants.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag to retain moisture and preserve the damp and warm conditions required for the tiny succulents.
- Place the plant in indirect sunlight but ensure that the sunlight isn’t hard, or it can burn the leaves.
- Although the mother of thousands does not need much water to grow, in the initial stages, ensure it gets enough watering and moist soil.
- If you notice growth, it means that roots have become firm. When they grow up to an inch, you can repot in the pot you wish to.
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The best light for a Mother of Thousands plant
The Mother of Thousands plant loves indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight would result in plant burn and decay.
Where can you grow a Mother of Thousands plant?
The plant can be grown outside as well as in the capacity of a houseplant. Growing it outside makes sense only if you don’t like in a country with freezing weather conditions.
Mother of Thousands: How to maintain?
Soil
Kalanchoe Daigremontiana needs a well-drained potting media because stagnant water is a huge problem for this plant, as with other plants.
Many enthusiasts utilise cactus mixes; others add sand or perlite to regular potting soil. Using a clay container is preferable since it helps absorb extra moisture and remove it from the plant.
Reseeding and potting
Repotting is typically only necessary if plantlets that have fallen into the container of the mother plant have started to take root.
These need to be taken out and thrown away, or they can be transplanted into a different container with adequate drainage.
Light
The mother of thousands favours a bright location in your house where it can enjoy several hours of light. Nevertheless, positioning plants in indirect light is advised because too much afternoon sun can cause a leaf burn.
Overwintering
For the winter, move your mother of thousands indoors. Under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant hardly endures the cold. Avoid placing the plant too near to a heater if it goes indoors. Excessive heat can harm the plant’s leaves and cause them to dry up more quickly than they can.
Water
The mother of thousands is more resistant to dryness than many succulent plants, although not as much. The more consistent the progressive hydration, especially when it is developing, the better. It just needs water sometimes, even in the spring and summer. If you sometimes forget, it will not be a big deal.
One must rewater once the top few centimetres of the soil have dried off. Reduce watering in the fall and winter. Leaves will get limp from overwatering. Remember to water only the soil and not the leaves.
Thermodynamics and humidity
The ideal mother of thousands plant temperature range is typically 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure it does not get a lot of direct, harsh sunlight.
Fertiliser
The mother of thousands of Kalanchoe species is among those that can survive without routine fertilisation. A little slow-release fertiliser can be added in the early summer. Remember not to fertilise it during its dormancy period, as it may damage the growth of the plant.
Pruning
The plant will not require more trimming than removing dead stalks and fallen plantlets. You may pinch off the top of the plant if the plant seems spindly and wiry. This will let the plant grow leaves from further down the stem.
See also: Types and importance of pruning
When will a Mother of Thousands plant flower?
As an outdoor plant grown in USDA hardiness Zones 9 through 11, the plant would bloom with small, grayish lavender flowers at the start of the warm season. This is more of an exception than norm though.
Mother of Thousands: What are the uses?
Helps pregnant women avoid premature labour
As implied by its name, the mother of thousands plant is very helpful to expectant mothers. In some regions of the plant’s native Madagascar, it is thought that this plant aids in preventing preterm labour in expectant mothers.
It possesses anti-cancer qualities
Several species in the plant kingdom have specific chemicals that are powerful in combating fatal malignancy. This mother of thousands is one of them. The most notable of a mother of thousands’ numerous advantages is its ability to fight cancer.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Most of the analgesics we take are made of selected plants with anti-inflammatory effects. Administering Mothers of thousands-containing cosmetics or other treatments reduces inflammation.
Excellent for decorative uses
The mother of thousands has another benefit besides its therapeutic properties. It is a beautiful plant that enhances interior decorating.
When looking for an indoor garden for your house, you want something lovely and tasteful to look at, and this plant hits the right notes.
FAQs
What is the mother of thousands good for?
The anti-tumour properties of the mother of thousands can be used to develop cancer medicines. They help prevent premature labour and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Is the mother of thousands poisonous?
The mother of thousands has a poisonous steroid, Daigremontianin, in all its components and is toxic to dogs, cats and people.
Why is it called the mother of thousands?
Although its formal name is Kalanchoe Daigremontiana, it is called the mother of thousands because every one of its leaves generates hundreds of children through its epiphyllous buds.
How often should one water the mother of thousands?
The mother of thousands is more resistant to dryness than many succulent species, although not nearly as much. The more consistent the progressive hydration, especially when it's developing, the better. It just needs water sometimes, even in the summer and spring.
Priya Banerjee, a writer with a keen eye on the property market, she deciphers the ever-changing trends in residential real estate. Priya excels at simplifying complex real estate terms, making them easy for everyone to understand. Her well-researched advice helps buyers and investors understand complex topics.
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