How to Grow and Care for a Flapjack Succulent

Flapjack succulents, also known as paddle plants, have flat, round leaves that form in rosette clusters. This low-maintenance plant thrives in warm, dry climates, requiring full sunlight and fast-draining soil that doesn't retain moisture. They can be grown indoors as long as they are given enough light, and in USDA zones 9-11, flapjack succulents are an ideal choice in xeriscape landscaping.

Be aware that all members of the Kalanchoe genus, such as flapjack succulents, are toxic to both humans and pets.

Flapjack Succulent Care

Flapjack succulents are easy to care for, as long as they get enough sun and are not left to sit in water. Here are the main care requirements for growing flapjack succulents:

• Choose a sunny outdoor spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day, or if growing indoors, place in a south-facing window and/or under a grow light.
• Prepare fast-draining soil, which you can amend with perlite, that will not maintain moisture.
• Water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry. Always allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
• Fertilize lightly once or twice during the growing season.

Light

As you would expect from a succulent native to South Africa and the surrounding areas, the flapjack likes a lot of sun, but it also does fine in a partial sun position. In the hot, sunny summer months, know that you may need to offer your flapjack a little protection against intense direct sunlight to keep the leaves from having leaf scorch damage.

The plant's green leaves can develop the red tips it's known for if your flapjack is given enough light during the cooler winter months.

Soil

Like most succulents, flapjack succulents prefer well-drained soil. A sandy or loamy variety that doesn't retain too much moisture will help ensure they thrive. Most garden centers and nurseries carry cactus or succulent potting soil mixes. Select a clay pot with good drainage if you are growing your plant indoors.

Water

As you would expect with a succulent, flapjacks are drought-tolerant, and great care should be taken not to overwater. The soil should be allowed to fully dry out before rewatering when the weather is hot. During the winter, they will need minimal watering or none at all. It is best to water in the morning to give the plant's roots time to absorb the water and the leaves to dry before the sun sets.

Temperature and Humidity

Paddle plants, like most succulents, thrive in dry, hot regions. They aren't cold-hardy, which is why they're most often kept as house plants. Flapjack succulents are not suited to very humid climates since their natural environments are dry, arid landscapes. If winter temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping them as an indoor plant or bringing them inside over winter is recommended.

Fertilizer

Your flapjack succulent will appreciate being fed a balanced and diluted fertilizer during its growth period over the spring and summer. Once every couple of months should be more than enough. Over-fertilizing, just like over-watering, can cause more harm than good to the plant.

Types of Flapjack Succulents

There are a few varieties of flapjack succulents:

• 'Red-fruited flapjack' originates in the U.S. and grows in a triangular shape with red color on the tips of green leaves.
• 'Yellow-fruited flapjack' is found in Madagascar with green-yellowish leaves and orange or yellow flowers that appear fruit-like.
• 'Blue-fruited flapjack' is also found in Madagascar with green leaves that have blue-tinged tips and white or pale blue flowers.
  

Pruning

The flapjack succulent requires very little pruning. Deadhead the flowers once they're spent, and take off any dead leaves or stalks. If you notice the plant is getting leggy, trim it back with pruning shears to keep it compact and rounded.

Propagating Flapjack Succulents

As with all kalanchoe succulents, you should wear gloves when handling them as your skin can become irritated from the sap from the leaves. It is best to propagate after the plant has stopped flowering during the late spring or early summer. Although these plants are monocarpic (they only flower once, and then die), they're easy to propagate from cuttings. Here's how:

1. Select a healthy stem and using pruning shears or scissors, cut about a 2-3 inch piece that has a few leaves on it.
2. Strip off the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving at least two to three leaves on it.
3. Let the cutting dry out and form a callus. This should take anywhere from one to three days.
4. Plant the cutting in a container with pre-moistened potting soil by poking it in the soil just up to the first leaf from the bottom.
5. Enclose the entire pot with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.
6. Place the pot in indirect light and moisten the soil when you see it is starting to get dry.
7. Once it starts showing new growth—approximately 15 to 20 days—you can care for it as you would a full-grown plant.

Flapjack succulents can also be started from an individual leaf being laid on the soil. Mature and healthy specimens are fast-growing and readily produce new offsets that can be taken off the plant and potted.

Potting and Repotting a Flapjack Succulent

If needed, repot your flapjack succulent during the late summer or fall after the blooming period for this plant has passed. Use a pot with drainage holes (preferably a clay one, as it will help drain any excess moisture), that has been prepped with cactus or succulent potting soil, and carefully plant the succulent. Make sure to only go up to a slightly larger-sized container, as these plants do better when they're crowded.

Overwintering

Bring your flapjack succulent in during the colder months. These plants like to be in dry, hot weather. It's best to keep them inside to prevent any damage to them if you live where the temperature drops down below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

While paddle plants do not have many common pests or diseases, they are susceptible to a few of them. Spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs enjoy sucking the juices from the leaves of this plant but can be taken care of by using neem oil or an insecticide spray. Fungi, such as powdery mildew or botrytis blight, are diseases that infect these plants and are usually caused by overwatering or too humid conditions with not enough air circulating.

How to Get Flapjack Succulents to Bloom

If flapjack succulents are in good health and getting enough sunlight, they should bloom readily in late winter, especially when grown outdoors.

Bloom Months

Flapjack succulents tend to bloom in late winter through early spring, usually starting sometime around March and possibly blooming until May.

What Do Flapjack Succulent Flowers Look and Smell Like?

What flapjack succulents bloom, the rosette formation elongates, and they produce a central stem with small flowers on it. Small, baby succulents form on the stem as well. The flowers are small, white, and basically offer no fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To encourage your flapjack succulent to bloom, make sure it's getting enough light. Indoor succulents can suffer from lack of light even when placed in a window. If you suspect your indoor flapjack succulent isn't getting enough sun, you can place it under a grow light.

Additionally, if your flapjack succulent is getting tons of sun but still isn't blooming, consider how long it's been since the plant was last fertilized. It may be lacking in nutrients.

Caring for Flapjack Succulents After They Bloom

Flapjack succulents do not require and special care after blooming, but growers often remove the central stem in order to propagate the small succulents that have grown upon it.

Deadheading Flapjack Succulent Flowers

Once the flowers are spent, deadhead the flapjack succulent stem and propagate the small succulents if you'd like. Removing the stem will help keep the flapjack succulent rosette compact.

From: thespruce