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Kalanchoe houghtonii Mottled
Ideally, place in a sunny location. If possible, plant outdoors during the summer.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -1.1 °C for short periods. The plant is not frost-resistant.
It propagates easily from small plants growing on the edges of the leaves — just place them on the substrate.
Kalanchoe houghtonii Mottled is a clone of Kalanchoe × houghtonii, distinguished by heavier spotting on the leaves, often especially noticeable on the upper surface. Kalanchoe × houghtonii itself is a hybrid created in the 1930s in the United States by crossing Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe tubiflora, two endemic species from Madagascar. The epithet houghtonii honours Arthur Duvernoix Houghton, a physician and botanist specialised in cacti.
The leaves are emerald green to brownish green, often marked with dark or purplish spots, which are even more pronounced in the Mottled clone. They are boat-shaped with serrated edges, and tiny plantlets form along the margins. This characteristic is known as vivipary, meaning the plant reproduces by producing young plants directly on its leaves. These plantlets grow in dense rows and detach easily. The plant can reach a height of up to about 75 cm and develops an upright, usually unbranched stem.
Flowers may appear on tall flower stalks and can show dark red, pink-orange, or pink-yellow tones. In cultivation, however, the plant is mainly appreciated for its growth habit and its ability to produce large numbers of plantlets.
Kalanchoe houghtonii Mottled is an easy and fast-growing succulent that tends to grow tall, but it tolerates pruning well. After cutting back it usually resprouts, making it possible to maintain a desired shape. This spotted clone is a valuable choice for growers looking for a striking viviparous Kalanchoe with simple cultivation requirements.