Kalanchoe 'Tarantula'

The novelty, fleshy foliage is crowned with sensational, double, cerise pink flowers from late winter and keep on keeping on into summer. It makes a wonderful houseplant on a sunny windowsill.

The unusual leaves are angular with lumps and bumps all over, like giant, spidery legs. As the plant grows, the foliage continues to layer.

Kalanchoe are a type of succulent, so are easy to care for and don’t require much water. In pots they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use (shade in summer outdoors). In the garden they need a frost free area with sharply drained soil and look terrific in a rockeries or small beds.

Plants will produce offsets, which if potted on will be great gift ideas.

I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. In pots, keep out of the hot afternoon sun lest their leaves be sunburned or roots damaged. In high light the leaves will blush pink/red. If the light is too low the growth will not be ideal, they can become leggy.

I NEED A DRINK: Water well, then allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again. You are more likely to kill it with kindness than neglect.

I WILL SURVIVE: These plants are so easy, they pretty much look after themselves. In pots ensure you choose a cactus/succulent potting mix for best results as it offers the sharp drainage they need. Choose a pot with drainage holes to ensure they don’t end up sitting in water. Offsets will form at the base of the plant, they can be left to continue the generations, or removed and repotted or shared or whatever you like.

Use a one quarter diluted, liquid fertiliser in spring to keep them happy and healthy. They aren’t heavy feeders and you are better to err on the side of caution, with too much fertiliser the unique leaf formation may not be as unique.