The Kalanchoe is part of the Crassulaceae plant family, which includes relatives such as jade and stonecrop. Native to Madagascar, the plant requires sun and light, well-drained soil suitable for cacti. There are over 125 species of tropical Kalanchoe plants, only one species from the Crassulaceae family is native to America, 56 from southern and eastern Africa and 60 species from Madagascar. They are also found in Southeast Asia and China. The name Kalanchoe comes from a phonetic transcription of the Chinese words "Kalan Chauhuy" meaning "that which falls and grows", probably referring to the falling seedlings from many species but others believe it to be from the ancient Indian words "kalanka" meaning "scrub " or "rust" and 'chaya' meaning "shiny" referring to the reddish, shiny leaves of the Indian Kalanchoe species. It is typically grown indoors as a houseplant that requires warm temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees and is very sensitive to cold. Too high or low temperature can cause the death of the flower. Kalanchoes are naturally spring bloomers. When grown outdoors, the plant thrives in most soils. Use a soil composed of equal parts coarse sand and good loam or compost with a tablespoon of dry manure. Kalanchoe has thick, dark green waxy leaves with scalloped edges and small four-petaled flowers, while other Crassulacae have five. If the plant is overwatered, the root will rot, the soil should dry out slightly between waterings. Kalanchoe needs only a light application of fertilizer each year with minimal care and grows about 12 inches tall. Flowering occurs within four months of exposure to six weeks of fourteen hours of night. Kalanchoe can bloom again next season if cared for correctly. A… paper medium… clippings in spring or summer. Leaves removed from the plant very carefully will produce small plants in about 4 weeks. Minimum temperatures of 45-59F are required. And prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. It should be kept moist during the summer but lightly watered during the winter. Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora commonly known as the flapjack plant has fleshy paddle-shaped leaves and resembles the shape of a seashell. Upright rosette-shaped plant, light green leaves tinged with pink at the top. The color of the leaves varies from gray-blue to pink. The grey-green leaves grow to about 15cm in length and turn red when exposed to the sun. This plant blooms from autumn to spring. Take leaf cuttings in spring or summer and pot them in moist cactus potting mix. Thyrsiflora is often confused with Kalanchoe luciae due to its appearance in the growth process.