Mother of thousands guide
Kalanchoe daigremontiana, also called alligator plant, Mexican hat plant, Bryophyllum daigremontianum
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright direct
- Water
- When the soil is dry all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 13 to 27°C (55 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly while growing, none while in bloom
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. It contains heart toxins. Keep it away from pets.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 ft) tall
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings, dried and set in cactus mix
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes mother of thousands different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the kalanchoe care guide.
What it is
Mother of thousands is a kalanchoe that grows tiny baby plants all along the toothed edges of its long, blue-green leaves. The babies fall off and root wherever they land. The undersides of the leaves have purple blotches. Select-A-Plant lists its colors as blue, green, pink, and purple, at 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 ft) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Mother of thousands | Long, toothed, babies along the edges | Rows of plantlets on every leaf |
| Chandelier plant, Kalanchoe delagoensis | Thin, tube-shaped, babies at tips | Pencil-thin leaves |
| Panda plant | Thick, fuzzy, silver | No babies, fuzzy leaves |
Care differences
Care is the same as any kalanchoe. The babies drop into nearby pots and sprout there. Check other pots near it and pull any that pop up.
Grow it from babies
Pick a few babies and set them on dry cactus mix. They root within a week or two. You will never run short.
Pet safety
The ASPCA lists kalanchoe as toxic to cats and dogs. This species contains heart toxins. Keep it, and the babies it drops, well away from pets.
Buying it
Mother of thousands is often shared as babies from a friend. It is also sold at garden centers. One plant is all you will ever need.