Overview

The Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant, scientifically known as Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, is a truly remarkable succulent that captivates with its distinctive foliage. Hailing from the rocky regions of northwestern Madagascar, this perennial succulent earns its common name from its large, paddle-shaped leaves that can resemble the ears of a donkey, especially in mature specimens. The leaves are a beautiful blue-green, often coated with a waxy film, and adorned with striking maroon splotches along the edges and surface. This rare variegated succulent is a must-have for collectors seeking unique and visually appealing plants. It’s a fantastic choice for adding an exotic touch to your indoor garden or a protected outdoor space.

Known for its robust nature and ease of cultivation, the Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant is an excellent addition for both seasoned plant parents and those new to succulents. Its ability to produce plantlets at the tips of its leaves is a fascinating propagation method, allowing for easy expansion of your collection or sharing with friends. This Gastonis Bonnieri succulent thrives on minimal attention, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals or those who appreciate a low-maintenance yet stunning botanical display.

Whether displayed in a decorative pot on a sunny windowsill or integrated into a rock garden, the Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri offers continuous visual interest with its dynamic coloring and architectural form. Its resilience and striking appearance make it a focal point in any plant arrangement.

Key Benefits

The Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection. Its unique aesthetics and easy-going nature contribute to its widespread appeal.

• Striking Ornamental Value: The large, blue-green leaves with maroon splotches and a waxy coating provide exceptional visual interest, making this rare variegated succulent a natural centerpiece in any setting. Its distinctive shape truly stands out.
• Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant: This plant is incredibly forgiving and resilient. It thrives on neglect and requires infrequent watering, making it an easy care succulent ideal for beginners or those with busy lifestyles.
• Unique Propagation Method: The Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri produces plantlets directly on its leaf tips, which can be easily detached and rooted to create new plants, offering an engaging and rewarding propagation experience.
• Versatile Placement: Suitable for both indoor container gardening and outdoor rock gardens in appropriate climates, the Gastonis Bonnieri succulent adapts well to various environments, provided its basic light and water needs are met.
• Air Purification: Like many succulents, the Donkey Ears Kalanchoe contributes to improved indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, fostering a healthier living environment.
• Long-Lived and Robust: With proper care, this succulent is a long-term companion, growing into a substantial and impressive specimen over time, offering enduring beauty.
• Conversation Starter: Its unusual appearance and interesting growth habits make it a fantastic conversation piece, perfect for adding character to your home or office.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant is straightforward, thanks to its hardy and drought-tolerant nature. To ensure optimal growth and vibrant coloration, understanding its basic needs is key. This succulent enjoys a good deal of sun but can also tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates where intense afternoon sun might scorch its leaves. Ideally, provide it with bright, indirect light for most of the day, or a few hours of direct morning sun. If growing indoors, a south or west-facing window is often suitable. Rotate the plant periodically to ensure even light exposure and symmetrical growth.

Watering is perhaps the most critical aspect of caring for any easy care succulent. The Donkey Ears Kalanchoe prefers thorough watering, followed by a period where the soil is allowed to dry out completely before the next watering. Overwatering is the most common cause of succulent demise, leading to root rot. During warmer months, you might water every 2-4 weeks, while in winter, this frequency can decrease significantly, sometimes to once a month or even less. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before watering. The ideal soil for this Gastonis Bonnieri succulent is a well-draining succulent or cactus mix, which prevents water from sitting around the roots. You can amend regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.

The Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 60-80°F (15-27°C), and is not frost-tolerant. If grown outdoors, bring it inside before temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C). Fertilize sparingly, if at all. A balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer can be applied once or twice during the growing season (spring and summer) if desired. Repotting is generally needed only when the plant outgrows its container. When repotting, choose a pot only slightly larger than the previous one and ensure it has drainage holes. Common problems include mealybugs or aphids, which can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil. With these simple care tips, your Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant will flourish.

Size & Details

This offering is for a young, well-rooted Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant grown in a 2 inch pot. At this stage, the plant will showcase the initial development of its characteristic blue-green leaves with maroon markings. While young, these plants are robust and ready to thrive in their new environment. The leaves of a mature Gastonis Bonnieri succulent can grow up to 20 inches long, forming a striking, upright display. The plant typically ships bareroot, with minimal soil on the roots, a common practice to reduce shipping costs and prevent damage during transit. Upon arrival, it should be potted promptly in a well-draining succulent mix.

The growth rate of the Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant is moderate, allowing it to gradually develop its impressive size and form. Over time, it will produce plantlets along its leaf margins, which can be harvested to propagate new plants. This succulent is an ideal candidate for containers due to its manageable size in its initial stages and its ability to be moved indoors during colder months. Expect it to develop into a substantial and stately specimen, providing years of enjoyment. The overall size will depend on growing conditions, but it can become quite large and architectural.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant get? A: A mature Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant can grow quite large, with individual leaves reaching up to 20 inches in length. The overall plant can form a substantial, upright rosette.
• Q: What size pot does the plant come in? A: This particular offering is for a young plant grown in a 2 inch pot, making it a compact size perfect for starting your collection.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Gastonis Bonnieri succulent can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives as an indoor houseplant in most climates and can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11 or brought inside during colder periods.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This easy care succulent prefers bright, indirect light for most of the day, with some direct morning sun being beneficial. Avoid intense afternoon sun, especially in hot climates, which can scorch the leaves.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant is considered an easy care succulent. It is drought-tolerant and forgiving, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: The plant is shipped bareroot, meaning it will arrive with minimal soil around its roots to ensure safe and cost-effective transit. It should be potted upon arrival.
• Q: How often should I water my Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant? A: Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. The frequency depends on your environment, but typically every 2-4 weeks during the growing season and less in winter.
• Q: Can I propagate this rare variegated succulent? A: Absolutely! The Donkey Ears Kalanchoe is known for producing plantlets on its leaf tips, which can be easily removed and rooted to create new plants. This makes propagating new Gastonis Bonnieri succulent plants very simple.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a Kalanchoe care tips? A: A well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix is ideal. You can also amend regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
• Q: Is the Donkey Ears Kalanchoe live plant pet-safe? A: Kalanchoe species are generally considered toxic to pets if ingested. It’s best to keep this plant out of reach of curious animals.