If you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you I am a succulent addict! I am mesmerized by the variety of succulents ranging from near transparent globes, to cascading pearls, fluorescent blooms and leaves, and the best part: they are so easy to propagate!
Succulents satisfies two things for me: first is, well, being succulents -- and the second is that they are a great deal...and I always love a great deal! When you start with one succulent, it gifts you with so many -- and the one that gives the greatest for me, is the Mother of Thousands!
The name is not an exaggeration -- each leaf provides so many babies (or plantlets) with very little coaxing. The plantlets fall off the mother plant and then roots to form a new plant. I mean...can it get any easier than that!? If I'm propagating, I will usually pick the plantlets and arrange them in a large terra-cotta saucer with cactus soil mix so they will take root. As they get bigger, I will transplant wherever I feel there is a gap in the garden or container.
I first came upon Mother of Thousands when I visited Cactus Jungle in Berkeley -- and was smitten by the beauty and uniqueness of this variety. So naturally...I got it. Little did I know that I would have a bounty of babies! And with the bounty, I like to share with friends and family -- and sometimes do a succulent swap so everyone gets a nice gift.
Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) is of the Crassulaceae family and is related to jade plant. It requires good drainage and so I will typically use a cactus soil mix. Sun exposure is fine, as long as it is not direct afternoon sun (otherwise the leaves can get sunburned). Lastly, if you do not want such a prolific succulent, you might want to consider planting this beauty in a container.
If you don't have Mother of Thousands, give it a try. They are beautiful and are a succulent that keeps on giving!
Happy gardening!
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