Flapjack Succulent Plant – AKA Paddle Plant, Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora

Flapjack succulent plant is a striking, tender succulent with flat, paddle-like leaves. It is easy to care for and grows well both indoors and outdoors. With the right conditions, this plant can be a bold addition to gardens and container displays.

Caring for a flapjack succulent is simple. It thrives in bright sunlight, well-draining soil and requires only occasional watering. Once established, it can handle periods of drought, which makes it a great choice for those new to growing succulents.

This guide will show you how to grow Kalanchoe flapjack successfully. You’ll find tips on soil, watering, light needs, and maintenance to help keep your plant healthy year-round.

Growing flapjack plant overview

Here is a quick guide to flapjack plant care:

• Common name: Flapjack plant, paddle plant, desert cabbage, red pancakes, Kalanchoe flapjack, flapjack succulent plant, Kalanchoe bronze beauty, thyrsus Kalanchoe
• Botanical name: Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
• Family: Crassulaceae
• Plant type: Tender succulent
• Sunlight needs: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil requirements: Well-draining succulent soil
• Watering needs: Dry out between waterings
• Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
• Mature size: – 24 inches (60 cm) tall, and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide
• Hardiness zones: – USDA 9a to 12
• Toxicity: – Poisonous to dogs and cats
• Native area: South Africa, particularly the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal

Flapjack succulent plant care

Growing flapjack plant is relatively easy. Here’s a guide on how to grow and care for this tender succulent:

Sunlight needs

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Place it in a location where it receives plenty of light throughout the day.

A south-facing or west-facing window is ideal.

Outdoors, give the plant full to part sun. In very hot, dry climates, plants will benefit from afternoon shade to protect them from the sun during the hottest part of the day.

All succulents enjoy being brought outdoors during the summer months. With enough sun, the plant’s leaves will develop attractive red edges.

Watering requirements for flapjack succulent plant

A good way to water this succulent is the “soak and drain” method.  To do this, bring the plant to the sink and give it a good soak, allowing the water to drain out of the drain hole in the bottom of the pot.

Be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s essential to let the top inch of soil dry before watering again.

When planting succulents, it’s best to choose a container with a drainage hole on the bottom.

Water sparingly during the winter months when the plant is dormant. 

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Soil needs for flapjack succulent plant

Because of its native habitat, paddle plant is adapted to survive in dry environments. Growing it in soil that replicates those conditions is beneficial for its overall health.

Like all succulents, a well-draining soil mix is needed for paddle plant to protect the roots.  You can choose a specially formulated soil for succulents, or add perlite and coarse sand to ordinary potting soil.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora likes a slightly acidic to alkaline soil with a soil pH of about 6 – 7.4. 

How to fertilize 

Look for a fertilizer with a balanced N-P-K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ratio, or use a diluted succulent fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer).

Avoid fertilizing during the dormant winter months.

Monitor paddle plant succulent for any signs of over-fertilization, such as leaf discoloration or wilting. If you notice this, reduce the frequency or strength of the fertilizer.

Humidity and ideal temperature range 

Flapjack succulent plant prefers warm temperatures and dry conditions.

The plant prefers temperatures between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C) during the day. The foliage will be damaged at around 30°F (-1°C), but paddle plants can survive a light frost.

Conditions that are too humid can lead to fungal infections.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora flowers and foliage

It is easy to see why the common names came to be when looking at the shape of its leaves. They have a flat shape, and are often described as resembling stacked flapjacks or paddles.

Leaves can be a range of colors, including shades of green, red, or purple. The leaf margins may have a red or maroon tint if the plant gets enough sunlight.

They are arranged in a rosette form.

The surface of the leaves is smooth and is sometimes covered with a powdery, waxy coating, called “farina.” I have often seen this coating along the stem area.

This powdery substance aids in water and temperature regulation and acts as a resistance to insects and a repellent for dust.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora may produce flowers during its blooming season, typically in late winter or early spring. The flowers sit on tall, sturdy stalks that emerge from the center of the rosette.

They are typically yellow (or orange) and may form clusters. Removing spent Kalanchoe thyrsiflora flower stalks can encourage more blooms.

Diseases and insects

Like most succulents, fungal diseases caused by over-watering are something to be on the lookout for. This could show itself with limp leaves that easily fall off.

The plant is generally resistant to pests, but watch out for mealybugs and aphids, which can be a problem.

Mealy bugs show up as tiny white insects that have a cotton-like look to them. Wash aphids off with a spray of water or use Neem oil to treat them.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora propagation

Get new plants for free by propagating flapjack plant with offsets or leaf cuttings. Allow the cuttings to callus for a day before planting them in soil.

Offset plants can be separated from the mother plant and will grow easily.

When removing offsets, it’s a good idea to prune away dead or damaged leaves to improve the plant’s appearance. This is also a great time to take cuttings.

Where to purchase Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

Check the garden centers of both Lowe’s and Home Depot. I found my plant at a small local garden center.

The Farmer’s Market is a great place to purchase succulents. The plant is also available from many sources online:

• Paddle plant on Etsy
• Kalanchoe thyrsiflora on Amazon
• Buy the flapjack plant on TrueGether
• Variegated paddle plants are for sale on Etsy

Be sure to check out my tips for buying succulents. This gives information on what to look for both locally and when buying online.

Other varieties of Kalanchoe succulents

Kalanchoes are some of my favorite succulents. If you love them too, check out these posts:

• Kalanchoe Houghtonii – Growing mother of thousands plant
• Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Care – Growing Flaming Katy – Widow’s Thrill – Christmas Kalanchoe
• Kalanchoe Tomentosa – Care of panda plant – pussy ears – donkey ears
• Kalanchoe Millotii – Ornamental succulent from Madagascar

Share these kalanchoe thyrsiflora care tips on X

If you enjoyed learning about Kalanchoe flapjack succulent plant, be sure to share this guide with a friend. Here is a post to get you started:

Learn all about Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, aka Paddle Plant, in our latest blog post! 🌿🌼 Check out its paddle-shaped leaves and delightful red margins. Perfect for succulent lovers! Find out more on The Gardening Cook. #PaddlePlant… Share on X

FAQ: Questions about flapjack succulent

1. Is this plant the same as the paddle plant with the name Kalanchoe luciae?

No, they both have paddle-shaped leaves, but Kalanchoe luciae is more colorful with darker red margins.

2. Are flapjack plants poisonous?

Yes, according to the ASPCA, all Kalanchoe varieties are toxic to both dogs and cats. Signs of poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal heart rhythm.

3. Why are the leaves of my flapjack plant drooping or curling?

Watering issues can cause this. Too much causes root rot, too little causes shriveling. 

4. Why is my flapjack turning red on the leaf edges?

Lack of sunlight is the reason. Flapjack plants need bright light and cool temperatures to develop red edges.

Pin Kalanchoe thyrsiflora care tips for later

Would you like a reminder of this post on how to grow flapjack plant?  Just pin this image to one of your Pinterest succulent boards so that you can easily find it later.

You can also watch our video on YouTube.