The Copper Spoon Plant (Kalanchoe orgyalis) has distinctive thick, oval-shaped leaves, often folding upward. These leaves are covered in fine, felt-like hairs, giving them a velvety texture. The upper surface typically displays a coppery or cinnamon hue, contrasting with a bronze to silvery-gray underside. It is a low-maintenance succulent.
Copper Spoon Plant Care Essentials
Copper Spoon Plants require bright, direct sunlight to maintain their vibrant color and promote compact growth. Placing them in a south-facing window indoors provides ample light. Insufficient light causes the plant to stretch, resulting in leggy growth and faded coloration.
Due to its drought-tolerant nature, use the “soak and dry” method, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Adjust watering frequency seasonally; less is needed in colder months or dormancy, and more during active growth. Avoid getting water on the fuzzy leaves to prevent marking.
Well-draining soil is crucial. A commercial succulent or cactus potting mix is ideal, providing necessary drainage. Enhance drainage with amendments like perlite or coarse sand. Use a pot with drainage holes.
These plants prefer warm temperatures, thriving between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 29 degrees Celsius). They are not frost tolerant and need protection below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), as prolonged cold can cause leaves to blacken. Average household humidity levels are sufficient, as they do not require high humidity.
Fertilization should be minimal. During the active growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength sparingly, about once a month. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy to prevent over-fertilization or root burn.
Repotting Your Copper Spoon Plant
Repotting is typically needed every two to three years, or when it outgrows its container. Indicators include roots circling the pot, becoming top-heavy, or diminished vigor. The optimal time is early spring, before the active growing season.
When repotting, select a pot only slightly larger than the previous one, ensuring good drainage. Gently remove the plant, remove old soil, and replant in fresh, well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Avoid watering for about a week to allow roots to settle and prevent rot.
Propagating Copper Spoon Plants
Copper Spoon Plants can be propagated through stem or leaf cuttings, or offsets. For stem cuttings, cut a healthy, non-flowering segment of three to four inches. For leaf cuttings, gently twist a healthy leaf from the main plant.
After taking cuttings, allow them to air-dry until a callus forms over the cut end to prevent rot. Once calloused, plant the cutting in a well-draining succulent soil mix. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots develop.
Troubleshooting Common Copper Spoon Plant Issues
Overwatering is a common problem, leading to mushy leaves and stem rot. If symptoms appear, allow soil to dry completely before the next watering, and ensure adequate drainage. Conversely, underwatering can cause leaves to shrivel or wrinkle, indicating the plant needs water.
Insufficient light can cause leggy growth or faded color. Move the plant to a brighter location. Copper Spoon Plants can occasionally attract common succulent pests like mealybugs, aphids, or spider mites. Inspect regularly and wipe off pests with a damp cloth or apply insecticidal soap.