Kalanchoe - Houghtonii Monstrosa aka Shrek's Ears | Marketplace Sales

Kalanchoe 'Shrek's Ears', botanically known as Kalanchoe × houghtonii 'Monstrosa', is a fascinating and whimsical succulent celebrated for its unique, tubular leaves that resemble the ears of the popular animated character, Shrek. This relatively easy-to-grow plant adds a touch of quirky charm to any succulent collection with its unusual foliage and interesting growth habit.
 
Key Features of Kalanchoe 'Shrek's Ears'
Tubular Leaves: The most distinctive feature is its cylindrical, trumpet-shaped leaves that are typically lime green with reddish tips.
Waxy Coating: The leaves often have a slightly waxy coating.
Upright Growth Habit: Grows with upright, branching stems.
Production of Plantlets: Readily produces tiny plantlets (kalanchoe "babies") along the leaf margins, a characteristic inherited from one of its parent plants, Kalanchoe daigremontiana.
Relatively Small to Medium Size: Typically reaches a modest size, suitable for container gardening.
Pendant Flowers: Mature plants can produce clusters of pendant, bell-shaped flowers, usually in shades of pink or orange.
 
Care for Your Kalanchoe 'Shrek's Ears'
Light: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight. While it can tolerate some direct sun, intense afternoon sun may scorch the leaves.
Soil: Requires well-draining soil to prevent root rot. A commercial cactus or succulent mix is ideal.
Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a significant risk. Reduce watering during the dormant winter months.
Temperature: Prefers moderate temperatures and is generally not frost-tolerant. Protect from freezing conditions.
Humidity: Adapts well to typical household humidity levels. Good air circulation is beneficial.
 
Maintenance for a Thriving Kalanchoe 'Shrek's Ears'
Removing Spent Flower Stalks: Once flowers fade, remove the spent flower stalks.
Controlling Plantlets: The plantlets produced along the leaf margins can readily root. If you don't want them spreading, gently remove them.
Repotting: Repot every 1-2 years or when the plant has outgrown its container. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger with drainage holes. Spring is usually the best time for repotting.
Pest Control: Monitor for common succulent pests like mealybugs and aphids. Treat any infestations promptly.
Fertilizing: Generally does not require heavy feeding. A diluted balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied sparingly during the active growing season (spring and summer).
 
Propagation Methods for Expanding Your Collection
Plantlets: The easiest method. Gently remove the small plantlets from the leaf margins and plant them in well-draining soil. They root readily.
Stem Cuttings: Take stem cuttings a few inches long, allow the cut ends to callus over for a day or two, and then plant them in well-draining soil.
Leaf Cuttings: While possible, propagation from the tubular leaves can be slower and less reliable than using plantlets or stem cuttings. Allow the cut end to callus before placing it on well-draining soil.
 
Kalanchoe 'Shrek's Ears' is a delightful and easy-to-grow succulent prized for its unique, tubular foliage and its fascinating ability to produce plantlets. Its quirky appearance adds a playful touch to any indoor or outdoor succulent garden.
 
 
* Please note that your succulent will be shipped bare-rooted (without soil and a pot) to ensure its safe travel. The first 2 images in the listing serve as a fair representation of the plant you will receive. Managing hundreds of plants means photographing every single individual specimen is simply not feasible, especially since plants naturally shift in color and size over time. Rest assured, every plant is hand-picked for quality and health!