Kalanchoe/Bryophyllum is one of the genera under the leave succulent family Crassulaceae. The other genera, such as Echeveria, Crassula, Pachphytum and Aeonium, from the same family are far more popular. Their diversity of compact and symmetrical forms (compact rosettes or 4-angled column) make them very very attractive to succulent collectors. While Kalanchoes/Bryophyllum may not have such geometrical neatness in their form, they win many of the hearts of succulent lovers by their wide range of leaves shape and colour. They are also more robustness. Kalanchoes/Bryophyllum can tolerate more neglect, more water, and of course one of the easiest to raise from stem or leave cuttings. Several species are so robust and propagate themselves so freely that they are considerated notorious weed in the tropics and subtropics. Several examples come to mind: Bryophyllum delagoensis (syn. K. tubiflora), B. daigremontianum (syn. K. daigremontiana), B. 'Houghton's hybrid' (a hybrid of B. delagoensis and B. daigremontianum created by A. D. Houghton in the 1930s), are all commonly named 'Mother of Thousands'^1,2. Others such as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and its many varieties are very common popular indoor flowering houseplant.

Famous authors in the succulent literature, like W. Rauh, H. Jacobsen, R. Hamlet, Boiteau, etc., have lumped the genus Bryophyllum under Kalanchoe. Recently, botanists have decided to resurrect Bryophyllum based on two characteristics: (a) formation of plantlets in the leaf notches and (b) having pendulous flowers. Kalanchoe has erect flowers and do not under normal conditions give raise to plantlets in the leaf margins. Since taxonomy is an artifical man-assigned classification system where flora and fauna are grouped according to their similarities and differences, there is bound to different opinions as to where to draw a line between one genus and another. We, the hobbyist, will still happily growing our Kalanchoes or Bryophyllums because we enjoy their beauty. In this website, we will differentiate Bryophyllums from Kalanchoes for a good reason: it is generally easy to differentiate them vegetatively based on the above mentioned 2 characteristics.

The genus contains more than a hundred species. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, from Southern Africa right up to Southern Arabia, coastal India to Sri Lanka down to the Islands of the Malay Archipelago, and the Island of Madagascar, Socotra, and other small islands in the Indian Ocean, across the Pacific to the Americas. The centre of diversity appears to be East Africa, and Madagascar, while those in the Americas could have introduced ages ago and have been naturalised. It is of interest to note that Madagascar is home to all Bryophyllums.

We can expect a variety of grow forms from this large and widely distributed genus.
Generally, the genus can be divided into the following groups:

1. Arborescent-erect growing shrubs (about 85% of the genus)
   Kalanchoe beharensis and B. pinnatum are tall and vigourous shrubs. Others are smaller and less bushy, B. daigremontianum, K. orygalis, K. laciniata, and in fact most Kalanchoes fall into this category.
2. Smaller, scrambling, shrubs supported with prop-roots, or epiphytic
   B. fedschenkoi, B. marierianum both scrambling and supporting and uprighting themselves with prop-roots. B. mangini is probably epiphytic and is miniature and free-flowering.
3. Climbers, without true tendrils.
   B. beauverdii (syn. B. scandens) and others less commonly cultivated species.
4. Forming rosettes.
   Kalanchoe synsepala, K. tetraphylla, K. thyrsifolia. The first two species offsets by runners carrying small miniature rosettes reminiscent for their parents!

Kalanchoes/Bryophyllums are very easy to grow, generally they need a porous (free draining) and rich soil. They are sun lovers.

Those species with thick succulent leaves, and those that are covered with bloom should be given more sun and less water. Those with soft, thin hairy leaves can be given a bit of shade and more moisture, without causing elongated growth. However, there are some species mostly epiphytic or climbers from the montane forest than need to be given more water and high temperatures are to be avoid.

It is necessary to experiment and see what works well for you, there is no fixed cultivation method. It will be most helpful to know what kind of habitat that the plant grows in, and adjust your cultivation methods accordingly.

Many Kalanchoes can be made to flower (even very young plants) by adjusting the length of daylight. Short day of less then 12 hours, typical 8 to 10 hours, over a period of 2 to 3 weeks will trigger the formation of flower buds. Once the flower buds are formed, the natural daylight regime can be resumed. Long daylight hours will promote vegetative growth.

Most Kalanchoes are extremely easy to propagate from leaf or stem cuttings. Bryophyllums often have plantlets growing in the notches of leaf margins. These plantlets are so prolific that they soon escape to become 'weeds'.

I've have no experience with seed raising here in the tropics just 1 degree north of the equator. Since Kalanchoe/Bryophyllum seeds are almost dust like, I reckon it is necessery to sow these dust-like seeds on a medium that does not dry out rapidly. I suppose any drying out for the minute seedlings will be fatal. Fungicide is probably needed to keep 'damping off' at bay. Once, the seedlings are established less watering is needed to avoid rot.