Grow it, but keep it contained
Leaf of life is one of the easiest plants you’ll ever propagate. That’s the problem. Detached leaves sprout plantlets along their edges, the flowering stalks can make plantlets too, and the base sends up suckers. It has naturalized right across the tropics and subtropics.
In Florida it grows wild across much of the central and southern peninsula. The University of Florida rates it invasive in central and south Florida and says it should be managed to prevent escape in the north. On the coast it forms dense carpets in dune habitats, crowding out sea oats and other native plants whose deep roots hold the dunes together.
In a cold-winter area a potted plant indoors poses little risk. Wherever winters are frost-free, grow it in a pot, pick up fallen leaves, and bag trimmings and spare plantlets for the trash.
Light
Give it bright light. Outdoors it takes full sun or part shade; indoors, give it your brightest window. In a dim spot it grows thin and leggy.
Water
Water well, then let the soil dry out before watering again. It's drought-tolerant once established and prefers dry air. Soil that stays wet leads to root rot.
Soil & pots
Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix in a pot with a drainage hole. Growing it in a pot is also the easiest way to stop it spreading where you don't want it.
Temperature
It likes warmth, roughly 60–85°F (16–29°C). Treat it as frost-tender. If it spends summer outdoors in a pot, bring it in before nights drop below 50°F (10°C).
Is leaf of life safe for pets?
Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) as toxic to dogs and cats. The toxic compounds are bufadienolides, and the signs it lists are vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, an abnormal heart rhythm.
Propagation
This is the kalanchoe that makes new plants from a single leaf. Plantlets form in the notches along the edge of a leaf once it's detached, so propagation is mostly a matter of letting that happen.
- Pick a healthy, mature leaf and lay it flat on barely damp cactus mix.
- Keep it in bright, indirect light, and water lightly when the surface dries.
- Plantlets appear in the notches along the edge and put down roots.
- Once they have a few leaves, pot them up and bag the old leaf for the trash.
Common problems
FAQ
Is leaf of life toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists kalanchoes as toxic to cats and dogs, with vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, an abnormal heart rhythm. Keep it where pets can't chew it, and pick up fallen leaves.
Is Kalanchoe pinnata invasive?
In warm places, yes. The Florida Invasive Species Council lists it as a Category II invasive, and the University of Florida rates it invasive in central and south Florida. There it forms dense carpets on coastal dunes and crowds out native plants.
Is leaf of life the same as Bryophyllum pinnatum?
Yes. Bryophyllum pinnatum is an older name for the same plant. Kew's Plants of the World Online now accepts Kalanchoe pinnata.
Can you grow leaf of life from a single leaf?
Yes, and easily. A detached leaf grows plantlets in the notches along its edge, each of which can become a new plant.
What do the flowers look like?
Hanging, bell-shaped flowers in shades from green to red. The flowering stalks can grow plantlets too.
Sources
- Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Kalanchoe: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
- Kalanchoe species: UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Kalanchoe pinnata: UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas
- Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.: West Indies flora record, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Kalanchoe: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox