Mother of Millions is a succulent with very large, blue-green leaves on a large single stem. The leaves are narrow and pointed and grow 6 - 7 inches long and 3 or more inches wide. As the plant grows, it develops tiny rosette like plantlets along the edges of the leaves. These rosettes fall off (thus the messiness) and will root very easily if they drop into a little bit of planting medium and moisture.This plant is most commonly grown as a houseplant, however, it will thrive outside in warm climates where the temperature doesn't drop below 40 degrees or so. It is not a desirable outdoor plant because each of those million "babies" have a tendency to take root and it can become very invasive. Grown in a container, it is much easier to contain all those "babies".
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is very easy to grow in average indoor conditions. Like most succulents, it does not appreciate soggy soil. It is best potted in a porous container with good drainage holes. I have the best luck using a sandy potting soil specially blended for cactus and succulents. Water only when the top inch or so of the potting medium is dry to touch.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is not a heavy feeder. I add half strength 10-10-10 fertilizer to the water about once a month in summer months and once or twice over the winter months.
Bright light is essential to keep the plant doing its best. In the winter, I keep the plant in the east bay window where it gets bright morning sunlight and bright indirect light in the afternoon. I move almost all my houseplants outdoors during the summer months and this one goes out as soon as I don't have to worry about night time temperatures falling below 40 degrees (that's about as long as I want to tolerate her dropping "babies".) They need to be acclimated to the outdoors gradually, so initially I place them in a very shaded location and then over time move them to their summer home where they get direct morning sunlight and partial shade in the afternoon.
Mother of Millions rarely blooms indoors. In fact, I've seen several sources claim that they never bloom indoors and that the flowers are "insignificant". This winter, my plant proved that never never applies and "insignificant" is most certainly a matter of opinion. She has been blooming her heart out for the past six weeks. The pale lavender blooms with bright yellow centers hang on the stems like bells. The tall, majestic stem with those delicate bells makes a very striking statement.
Sadly, the "mother" will die after flowering but the surface of the container is already thick with nicely rooted babies. Come spring, I'll transplant some of them to smaller containers, move them outdoors when conditions are right, and hope for another striking display of blossoms again next winter.
