Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family, native to South-western Madagascar. It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-western Madagascar |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇳 India |
| Invasive in | Queensland and New South Wales, South Africa, Florida, Pacific islands: check local rules before planting |
Is Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts
Contains strong bufadienolide heart poisons (daigremontianin): it has killed cattle and is dangerous to pets and children.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone)
- How far apart should I plant Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Contains strong bufadienolide heart poisons (daigremontianin): it has killed cattle and is dangerous to pets and children.
- What grows well with Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mother of thousands (devil’s backbone). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Long, toothed leaves blotched purple beneath, with a row of tiny plantlets along every edge that drop off and root wherever they land; one plant soon becomes hundreds. Keep it in a pot indoors: outdoors in warm countries it has become a weed of dry bushland.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum