Suspect Identified: Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

a.k.a. paddle plant, flapjacks, dessert cabbage, white lady

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Species: thyrsiflora

Kalanchoe plants have large, fleshy green and red coloured leaves that grow in a flat, round paddle (or pancake) shape making it an attractive plant that's grown as much for the striking foliage than for the flower.

However, there is a closely-related plant known as Kalanchoe luciae and information found on this website suggests that...

most plants sold in the nursery trade are K.luciae, though they are often mis-labelled and sold as K.thyrsiflora

Now, this may only apply to the Australian market as the information did come from an Australian website, but it's definitely worth keeping in mind.

The two species share similar features, such as the size, shape of the leaves and the red that runs along each one... however these features can be greatly affected by climate where the plant is grown, making them difficult to tell apart using these tests on their own.

Thankfully, each species has a distinctive flower display that will provide a reliable test in time, BUT since it only flowers a few times throughout its life, it may be quite a while before I'm able to test it for myself.

The Kalanchoe species are known to be drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping... (yes, I knew what that meant... and no, I didn't have to look it up...) XD

... so at first, I thought it would be good to plant in the rock garden, with the other succulents, however I also read that it doesn't do so well in the frost and, with that in mind, they're 'often grown in pots that can be brought indoors over winter'.

Anyhoo, if you recall my track-record of gardening with the harsh Canberra frost, then you'll also understand why I say that 'grown in pots' and 'brought indoors over winter' is the standard that I'll most likely follow...

Until next time... xxx