10 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About the Silver Spoons Plant: The Perfect Addition to Your Indoor Garden

Kalanchoe Silver Spoons or Silver Kalanchoe, also known by its botanical name Kalanchoe orgyalis, is a type of succulent plant that belongs to the family Crassulacea, which is a family of flowering plants that includes about 1,400 species of succulent plants, herbs, shrubs, and trees.Take note that the Kalanchoe Silver Spoon is just one type of succulent plant in the genus Kalanchoe under the Crassulacea family. It has 125 species that are native to Madagascar and other parts of Africa, as well as Asia and South America.

Kalanchoe species and cultivars

Because Kalanchoe is a diverse genus of plants that includes many species and cultivars, it can get a bit confusing to identify every specific type. Some hybrids and cultivars have been developed for ornamental purposes. As you gain more knowledge and experience about this genus, you’ll become more familiar with the different types of Kalanchoe and their distinguishing features.

Kalanchoe can differ from one another in several ways including leaf shape and size, flower colour and shape, growth habits and tolerance to environmental conditions. Here are some of the popular types of Kalanchoe: 

• • Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)
    
    Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a small, bushy plant that grows up to 1-2 feet tall and wide. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are dark green and scalloped along the edges. It produces clusters of small, brightly coloured flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white.
  • Kalanchoe pinnata (Cathedral Bells)
    
    Kalanchoe pinnata can grow up to 3-4 feet tall and has large, fleshy leaves that are arranged in a rosette pattern. The leaves are green, ovate, and have serrated edges. The plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that are arranged in clusters. It is a popular medicinal plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
  • Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
    
    Kalanchoe tomentosa has thick, gray-green leaves that are covered in fine, white hairs, giving the plant a soft, fuzzy texture. produces small, tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink or yellow on long, thin stems.
  • Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant)
    
    Kalanchoe luciae has thick, fleshy, and shaped like paddles or flaps, with a reddish-brown colour around the edges and a bluish-gray colour in the centre. The plant produces small, tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink or red on long, thin stems.

• Kalanchoe orgyalis (Copper Spoons or Silver Spoons): Kalanchoe orgyalis or silver spoons is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 3 feet tall and wide when fully mature. There are no other recognized types or subspecies of Kalanchoe orgyalis but there are a few cultivars or varieties that have been developed by growers.

10 things to know about the Silver Spoons plant

The silver spoons plant is a popular and highly sought-after plant among succulent and houseplant enthusiasts. Here are the top ten reasons that make it one of the special succulent plants: 

• Copper and Silver Colours: The natural variations in colour and leaf shape can occur due to factors such as sunlight, soil conditions, and the age of the plant. The copper colour is due to the presence of anthocyanin pigments in the leaves, which are responsible for reddish-brown or copper colouration. The silver colour is due to a layer of fine hairs that cover the leaves, which reflect light and create a silvery appearance.

• Leaves: The spoon-shaped leaves of the Silver Spoons plant have a beautiful silver-grey colour with a velvety texture. The leaves are thick and fleshy, and they can grow up to 3-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. The name “silver spoons” is sometimes used to refer to the plant when the silver-grey colouration of the leaves is more prominent.

• Texture: The leaves of Kalanchoe Silver Spoon have a velvety texture that is soft and slightly fuzzy to the touch. This is due to the fine hairs that cover the undersides of the leaves. The leaves have a matte finish, with a silver-grey colour that is not glossy.
• Maintenance: The  Silver Spoons plant is a low-maintenance plant. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types, making it easy to grow in a range of growing conditions. It’s drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering.
• Light: This plant prefers bright, indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sunlight; it can cause the leaves to burn or become discoloured if left for a long time. If it’s not receiving enough light, it may become leggy and stretched out with leaves spaced far apart on the stem.
• Temperature: It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures between 15°C to 24°C. However, it can stand higher temperatures up to 32°C if it is given enough water and humidity, but it should be protected from frost or freezing temperatures as this can damage or kill the plant. 
• Propagation: Silver Spoons can be propagated using stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. Select a stem or leaf that is healthy and free from disease or damage. The stem or leaf should be at least 4 inches long. Allow the stem or leaf cutting to dry for a few days until the cut end has calloused over, then plant the cutting upright with the bottom end inserted about 1 inch deep into the soil.

• Pruning: It requires very little pruning aside from removing any dead or damaged leaves or flowers. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to prevent the spread of disease and ensure a clean, even cut.
• Health benefits: Like many other succulent plants, the Silver Spoons plant has been shown to improve air quality by removing harmful pollutants from the air. It is also known for its medicinal properties. The leaves of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, coughs, and digestive issues.
• Ornamental: It’s one of the most popular houseplants and can also be used as a landscaping plant in warmer climates. Silver Spoon can also produce small, tubular pinkish-orange flowers in the spring or summer. While the flowers are not as showy as other kalanchoe species, they do add an extra element of interest to the plant.

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