Kalanchoe pumila Baker
Flower Dust Plant / Dwarf Purple Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe pumila is a dwarf succulent native to the mountainous regions of central Madagascar (up to 2,000 m elevation), where it grows in rocky soils. It stands out for its small obovate leaves entirely coated in a fine white farinose wax ("flower dust") and for its showy pink to lilac flowers with yellow stamens appearing in late winter, making it one of the most ornamentally impactful Kalanchoes for its small size.
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© Stan Shebs
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Kalanchoe |
| Growth Habit | Dwarf arching-pendulous succulent shrub, with stems arching outward from the pot; ideal habit for hanging culture. |
| Conservation Status | No threat category; widely cultivated; the wild species is native to Madagascan mountain zones under deforestation pressure. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Type | Rocky-sandy, very porous, nutrient-poor; similar to Madagascan alpine substrates. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Obovate, fleshy, sessile to subsessile leaves 2–4 cm long by 1.5–2 cm wide; entirely coated with white farinose epicuticular wax (farina); crenate margins in the upper third; purplish tint on margins under intense light stress.
ecoArching, much-branched stems also white-powdery when young; reaching 20–30 cm tall and spreading up to 60–90 cm wide in mature specimens.
ecoErect, tubular flowers, red-coral to pink-lilac with conspicuous yellow anthers; arranged in few-flowered cymose panicles; appearing in late winter to early spring; very attractive to pollinators.
ecoFibrous, shallow root system; naturally grows in rock crevices at high altitude; highly susceptible to root rot from excess water.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Rocky-sandy, very porous, nutrient-poor; similar to Madagascan alpine substrates.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Cut a 5–8 cm stem; K. pumila is dwarf-sized, mind the cutting size.
- 2 Remove lower leaves; callus for 1–2 days.
- 3 Plant in draining mineral mix.
- 4 Rooting in 2–4 weeks at 20–25 °C.
- 1 Remove dusty-pink leaf with complete base.
- 2 Callus for 2–3 days.
- 3 Rest on lightly moist mineral substrate at 20–25 °C.
- 4 Emerging plantlet in 6–10 weeks.
WARNING: toxic to dogs and cats. The dusty-pink color intensifies with full sunlight.
Growing in semi-shade and losing the dusty-pink color and winter flowering.
Every 1–2 years in spring in a small pot or hanging basket.
Balanced fertilizer at 50% monthly from March to September. No fertilization in winter.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
TOXIC to cats and dogs; like all Kalanchoe, contains cardiotoxic bufadienolides. Symptoms after ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, and at high doses, cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
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"K. pumila is one of the few high-altitude Kalanchoes (up to 2,000 m in Madagascar), which grants it unusual frost tolerance within the genus; this adaptation to broader thermal ranges makes it an interesting candidate for studies of CAM photosynthesis physiological plasticity under low nocturnal temperature conditions, which favor the nocturnal CO₂ fixation characteristic of this metabolism."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.