by Laura
(Kenai Peninsula, Alaska)
I got this plant from my Dad. It has a white stem, and when touched leaves a chalky residue on my fingers. It grows in sections.
It has broad, fairly flat but thick leaves that are oval shaped. The new leaves appear in pairs, then separate around new sections of stem.
So far it has not flowered but in the months I’ve had it it seems to grow rapidly. At first I think I wasn’t watering it enough but now it is growing in leaps and bounds.
Hi Laura, your description of the white waxy coating, and the leaves emerging in pairs is a dead giveaway; this is Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, the Flap Jacks plant. The leaves in full sun typically stand upright, which looks like a stack of pancakes, giving rise to the common name.
You can see more about it here; Kalanchoe thyrsiflora.
During the summer when they’re actively growing, they do need lots more water, but now that fall is approaching you should taper it off so that the soil is almost dry for the winter. You can see more about winterizing succulents here.
Hope this helps,
Jacki
