Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe are some of the easiest succulents to grow, and they are great for beginner plant collectors. Species range from Chocolate Soldier (Kalanchoe tomentosa) to Fang (K. beharensis), to Flapjack (K. luciae) – not to mention the Mothers listed below.



Most Popular Types

Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe laetivirens), Mother of Millions (K. diagremontiana), and Widow’s Thrill (K. blossfeldiana)



Light

Full sun



Temperatures

Can withstand temperatures down to 30°F for short periods of time.



Watering

Water when completely dry



Toxicity

Toxic to pets



Growth

Some varieties such as Fang (Kalanchoe beharensis) can reach 10 ft in height in native habitat. Some varieties are monocarpic, meaning the plant will die after flowering.



Origin

China, South Africa, and Madagascar



Propagation

Most Kalanchoe produce plantlets along the edge of the leaves.



Dormancy

Summer dormant

Kalanchoe daigremontianum mother of thousands

Plantlets grown along the leaf edges of the Kalanchoe daigremontianum mother of thousands and drop to the ground to spread.

Kalanchoe tomentosa chocolate soldier

Kalanchoe tomentosa chocolate soldier is full of furry fun! (OK, that was cheesy.)

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana supermarket kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has been hybridized to produce blooms all summer. It is called supermarket kalanchoe because of its availability.

Kalanchoe blooms

Kalanchoe typically produce tall inflorescences with bell-shaped blooms.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Hoya

Hoyas are exceptional houseplants – climbing or trailing, almost always overflowing from the pots. Also known as wax plants, varieties range from the curly dreadlock-ish Hindu rope (Hoya carnosa compacta) to the grassy-leafed Hoya retusa. They make great collector plants as there are so many stunning varieties.

In their native habitat, hoyas are epiphytic, growing in trees without damaging its host.



Most Popular Types

There are so many hoyas on our popularity list! Hoya kerryi has heart-shaped leaves, and the variegated macrophylla has beautiful large leaves. The Hindu rope variety can boast standard green or variegated leaves that start out bright red before turning to a beautiful pink.



Light

These plants prefer bright indirect sunlight.



Temperatures

Hoyas like warmth and humidity. We keep ours at a minimum temperature of 60 degrees F.



Watering

Hoyas can be watered soon after the top inch or so of soil is dry. Frequent watering will speed growth, as long as the plant isn’t kept in soggy soil.



Toxicity

These plants are non-toxic to people and pets.



Growth

Hoyas will climb a trellis or drape from a hanging pot, easily reaching 4 ft in length.

Clusters of small star-shaped flowers are common. Some varieties need to be kept in cool, dry spaces during winter to promote summer flowers.



Origin

They are native to Asia and Australia.



Propagation

The easiest method of propagating hoya is by stem cutting. Make sure you select a spot on the stem with at least one node, preferably two, to ensure growth.

The heart-shaped kerryi are often available for Valentine’s Day, but it’s difficult to tell if they will develop into a full plant or just remain a leaf. It’s all in the cutting technique.



Dormancy

They are winter dormant.

Hoya wax plant

Hoya is also known as a wax plant.

hoya retusa

The Hoya retusa has uncommon needle-like leaves. As with most Hoya, it does well in hanging baskets.

hoya publicalyx

Hoya publicalyx

hoya macrophylla

Hoya macrophylla is a larger leaf variety. The variegated form is very eye-catching.

Hoya Kerryi

The Hoya Kerryi is often available during February for Valentine’s Day gifts.

hoya kentiana bamboo leaf

Hoya kentiana bamboo leaf is a great plant for Hoya collectors.

hoya Hindu Rope regular and variegated

Comparison of Hoya Hindu Rope regular and variegated. In the sun, the variegated variety will have a hint of pink.

Hoya flowers

Hoya flowers are small, but the effect of the ball of star-shaped blooms catches attention.

hoya curtisii string of hearts

The Hoya curtisii is similar to a string of hearts ceropegia, but it has spade-like leaves.

hoya carnosa Krimson Queen

The Krimson Queen Hoya carnosa is stunning when kept in direct sunlight. The variegated leaves take on a strong pink color.

Hoya carnosa Hindu Rope variegated

Hoya carnosa Hindu Rope – variegated variety

Hoya carnosa compacta Hindu rope

Hoya carnosa compacta Hindu Rope starts as a clump of curved leaves to later take on a trailing pattern.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Haworthia

Haworthia are shade-loving succulents with some curious names: fairy washboard, file leaf plant, window haworthia, zebra plant, and even horse’s teeth.

Grown in direct sunlight, haworthia are likely to turn a reddish-brown color.

These plants take in sunlight during the day and spend their nights transpiring – making them great air purifiers for bedrooms.



Most Popular Types

Fairy washboard (haworthia attenuata)
and Haworthia cooperi



Light

In their native environment, Haworthia grows in direct sun. The leaves of many of the varieities have translucent tips that allow the sun to collect inside the leaves during the day, providing more surface area for photosynthesis during the cooler evenings when the plant can open its pores.



Temperatures

Haworthia can surviive in temperatures above 30 degrees F.



Watering

Allow the soil to become completely dry before watering haworthia. Water the soil near the base of the plant rather than watering from the top.



Toxicity

Haworthia is non-toxic to people and pets.



Growth

Haworthia typically doesn’t grow beyond 8 inches in height. A groundcover in its native environment, haworthia will form in clumps.



Origin

Haworthia grows naturally in South Africa.



Propagation

While haworthia often put out flowers on extra long inflorescenses, it is difficult to start them from seed. Propagation is most easily done from offsets.



Dormancy

Haworthia is summer dormant. We think it still believes it’s growing in the southern hemisphere.

haworthia truncata

Haworthia truncata is also called the horse’s mouth plant.

Haworthia wandera Miami

The Haworthia wandera Miami variety is similar to the fairy washboard, but with stripes.

Haworthia super fasciata zebra plant

Haworthia super fasciata is also known as zebra plant.

Haworthia super fasciata zebra plant (2)

The Haworthia super fasciata grows in an upright pattern and often produces offsets.

haworthia fairy washboard

Haworthia limifolia, or fairy washboard, does well in shady areas.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Graptopetalum

Graptopetalum is one of the more understated succulents. It works well as a spiller in container arrangements and as a seasonal groundcover.

Graptopetalum has been crossed with Sedum (Graptosedum) and Echeveria (Graptoveria) to encourage stronger stems and leaves.



Most Popular Types

Ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) is always in stock at Growing Hobby.



Light

Full sun



Temperatures

Graptopetalum can withstand temps as low as 20°F.



Watering

Water when completely dry



Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets



Growth

Grows 12 inches in height by 3 ft wide. It may produce small yellow flowers in the spring.



Origin

Mexico, Arizona



Propagation

Leaf cuttings, stem cuttings



Dormancy

Summer dormant

Graptopetalum grey ghost

Graptopetalum, the grey ghost, work well as fillers and spillers in dish gardens.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Gasteria

This is the succulent that started it all. I got a thick-leaved Gasteria “Little Warty” and fell in love with these incredible plants. A few months later, Growing Hobby was born.

Gasteria takes its name from the Latin word for stomach, which the flowers resemble.



Most Popular Types

Gasteria Little Warty, Lawyer’s Tongue – G. bicolor, Cow Tongue – G. maculata, Horse teeth – G. truncata x maughanii, and Gasteria Flow



Light

Indirect light for most of the day. Two hours of direct sun will help to combat heart rot. However, new offsets should not be placed in direct sun, as their root systems won’t bring in enough moisture.



Temperatures

Gasteria cannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F.



Watering

Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Do not allow water to remain in the crown of the plant, as it may cause heart rot.



Toxicity

All Gasteria are toxic to humans and pets.



Growth

Gasteria is slow growing, and it needs several nights of 50-55°F temps in winter to force blooms in the spring.

Gasteria typically stays low to the ground, but it can reach 2 ft in height in its native habitat.



Origin

South Africa



Propagation

Offsets can be taken once a root system has developed.



Dormancy

Winter dormant

gasteria flowers

Gasteria is more apt to flowers when it undergoes several nights of 50 degree temps in the winter.

little warty with offset

Little Warty

gasteria in nature – fan shape

Gasteria can take many shapes.

gasteria sunburn

Gasteria can take on a reddish hue when it is underwatered and remains in direct sun.

gasteria flow and bicolor

Gasteria Flow to the left and Lawyer’s Tongue on right

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Dischidia

Dischidia is a fast-growing succulent which is an epiphyte (growing in trees with very little soil) in its native environment. It is very easy to grow as long as the potting soil is chunky, allowing for aeration.

String of Nickels is difficult to find, but we have our sources!



Most Popular Types

String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia), Million Hearts (Dischidia ruscifolia)



Light

Filtered light



Temperatures

String of nickels grows best in a controlled household environment with high humidity.



Watering

Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Misting to increase humidity is helpful.

Yellowing of leaves may be because of overwatering or poor draining soil.



Toxicity

The sap of the Dischidia causes irritation to skin and eyes. It is toxic when swallowed.



Growth

Dischidia is epiphytic. Loose potting soil mix with coco husk chips is recommended. Change the potting mix every year.

The draping strings can reach 10 ft in length.



Origin

Tropical areas of China and India



Propagation

Propagate by cuttings, taking care to keep the white sap that flows from the stem from irritating your skin or eyes.



Dormancy

Winter dormant.

Dischidia string of nickels

The String of Nickels is a precious succulent that is easy to maintain.

Dischidia formosana

Once Dischidia takes root, it is very prolific. Most varieties such as the Formosana work well in hanging baskets.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop