Kalanchoe is a member of the Crassulaceae plant family, which includes relatives such as Jade and Stonecrop. Native to Madagascar, the plant requires sun and light, well-drained soil, suitable for cacti. There are more than 125 species of tropical Kalanchoe plants, only one species in the Crassulaceae family is native to America, 56 to southern and eastern Africa, and 60 species to Madagascar. They are also found in Southeast Asia and China. The name Kalanchoe comes from a phonetic transcription of the Chinese words "Kalan Chauhuy" meaning "that which falls and grows", probably in reference to the falling seedlings of many species, but others believe it from the ancient Indian words "kalanka ". meaning “spot” or “rust” and “chaya” meaning “shiny” in reference to the shiny reddish leaves of the Indian Kalanchoe species. It is typically grown indoors as a houseplant that requires warm temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees and is very sensitive to cold. Too high or too low a temperature can cause flowers to die. Kalanchoe flowers naturally in spring. When grown outdoors, the plant thrives in most soils. Use a soil composed of equal parts coarse sand and good potting soil or compost with a tablespoon of dry manure. Kalanchoe has thick, dark green waxy leaves with scalloped edges and small flowers with four petals, while other Crassulacae have five. If the plant is overwatered, the roots will rot and the soil should dry out slightly between waterings. Kalanchoe needs only a light application of fertilizer each year with minimal care and grows to about 12 inches tall. Flowering occurs within four months following exposure to six weeks of fourteen-hour nights. Kalanchoe can bloom again next season if properly cared for. A......middle of paper......cuts in spring or summer. Leaves removed very carefully from the plant will produce a small plant in about 4 weeks. Minimum temperatures of 45 to 59 F are required. And prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Should be kept moist during summer but lightly watered throughout winter. Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora, commonly known as flapjack plant, has fleshy paddle-shaped leaves and resembles the shape of a shell. Upright rosette-shaped plant with pale green leaves tinged with pink at the top. Leaf color ranges from grayish blue to pink. The gray-green leaves grow to about 15 cm long and turn red when exposed to sunlight. This plant flowers from fall to spring. Take leaf cuttings in spring or summer and pot them in moist cactus potting soil. Thyrsiflora is often confused with Kalanchoe luciae due to its appearance in its growing process..