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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: Africa, Central (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Spring |
| Height: 2-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Kalanchoe marmorata 'Seacrest' (Penwiper Plant) - An erect and somewhat decumbent succulent perennial/shrub that grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and sprawling a bit wider with attractive large 8 inch long by 5 inch wide succulent and glaucous gray-green leaves that are often spotted with a scalloped margin that are often speckled with purple on the young new leaves. In winter into early spring appear at branch tips the foot long branched clusters (paniculate cymes) of inch and a half wide starry 4 petaled pure white flowers held out on 2 inch long squarish basal tubes held with nearly inch long green calyces - very dramatic looking when in flower. Plant in full to part sun in well drained soil and irrigate occasionally to infrequently. Hardy for short durations below freezing and some list it as hardy to around 25°F but happiest in near frost free gardens. An interesting and attractive sprawling plant for a large container or in a garden spot in that has well draining soil in a near frost free garden. Kalanchoe marmorata received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 2002 with the recommendation of planting in a heated greenhouse in England. While we have other more typical Kalanchoe marmorata in our collection the form of this plant by comparison was exceeding large both in stature and leaf size. It was noticed growing as a companion plant to large boxed palm specimen at Seacrest Nursery in Goleta, California by John Bleck, Santa Barbara's succulent plant sage, in 2020. Kalanchoe marmorata is native to Central and West Africa, from Zaire to Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia where it grows on rocky slopes ridges. The name Kalanchoe is somewhat of a mystery - there is some thought that it comes from a phonetic transcription of the Chinese words 'Kalan Chauhuy' meaning "that which falls and grows", likely in reference to the plantlets that drop from many of the species but others believe it from the ancient Indian words 'kalanka' meaning "spot" or "rust" and 'chaya' meaning "glossy" in reference to the reddish glossy leaves of the Indian species K. laciniata. The specific epithet marmorata refers to the marbled surface of the leaves. It is also commonly called Penwiper Plant, Pen Wiper Plant, Baby Penwiper and Spotted Kalanchoe and both the common and specific name make reference to the leaves colored with brownish purple blotches which, as the common names indicate, can look a bit like fountain pen blotting paper. Our cuttings taken at Seacrest Nursery with permission from Cristi Walden.
The information about Kalanchoe marmorata 'Seacrest' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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