The genus contains about 125 species of succulent shrubs, herbs and climbers are mainly distributed throughout tropical Africa and Madagascar and parts of Asia. They are usually grown for their attractive leaf shape despite some colorful flowers with the tube, including the burning Katie (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), which makes them popular ornamental plants. Growth habits range from low shrubs to area high tree-like plant, with leaves large variations of same, from small to large, shiny compressed and opaque gray to dark green. The genus has a lot of hybridization and, although native species bear bright red flowers, the options are also white, yellow, pink, and p e-flowering form.

CULTIVATION: In all but the warm climate crop this requires a room or greenhouse and potting soil should be planted in the sand is very fertile. If grown outdoors, they need a sheltered place in the humus-rick Sunny well drained soil and should remain fairly dry in general under Propagation by stem cuttings or leaves, or from seed sown in spring.

Above and below: Kalmia latifolia, bears flowers that are very typical: curled edges and rounded buds open to reveal pink flowers. Cultivars have been developed sufficiently, like the ‘Olympic Flame’, above, with dark red buds open to large pink flowers, and “Carousel”, below, a delicate white flowers bright red.