Paddle plant. Kalanchoe lucaie or thyrsiflora?

by Lynda Shoup
(Summerville SC)

I’ve read conflicting comments about paddle plants, I live in zone 8b/9a and have read in some places that paddle plants can stay outside as low as 30 degrees? Is this true? I feel like it was so much happier outside even though it’s in a sunny south facing window and under grow lights. I recently repotted it into a better draining pot and I’m hoping he improves as he has some droopy leaves and is pale in color.

Comments for Paddle plant. Kalanchoe lucaie or thyrsiflora?

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 21, 2021
 Native Habitat
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Where these plants originate, the climate is pretty much the same year round - none of the fluctuating temperatures and light levels that we experience in the northern hemisphere.

However, nothing we do can match what they would experience there - from temperature to light level, no matter what we do.

This is one reason I suggest letting these plants go dormant in the winter months.

See the Winterizing Succulents e-Book for more.


What I might do in your situation (next year, not now) is try to have several plants that could be split up into different scenarios; one inside in your conditions you've outlined above, one let to go dormant (no water, or very little) and another one outside to see if it will survive.

Note; if your climate is very damp, or you get a lot of rain during the winter months, don't try this as these plants hate to be wet.

PS: I don't recommend repotting any time except just prior to a growth spurt. This would be spring in most areas, not the fall.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.