Plants That Resemble Kalanchoe – Lookalikes of This Popular Succulent

Kalanchoes are beautiful soft succulents, easy to propagate, usually with showy flowers. Since Kalanchoe is a very large and varied genus, there are many plants that closely resemble kalanchoe in appearance and growth habit. If you love the look of kalanchoes, here are some similar plants to consider adding to your indoor or outdoor garden.

Why Kalanchoe is So Popular

Native to arid regions of Africa and Madagascar kalanchoes are prized for being low-maintenance, drought-tolerant succulents. They come in a huge range of shapes and sizes from small rosette types to large shrubs.

Kalanchoes are loved for their:

• Thick fleshy leaves with interesting textures. The leaves can be round, oval paddle-shaped, or other unique shapes. Some have neat ruffled or scalloped edges.

• Beautiful flowers in bright colors like red, pink orange yellow, and white. The blooms are often long-lasting, up to several weeks.

• Easy propagation from leaves and stem cuttings. New plants root readily.

• Adaptability to warm, dry conditions indoors and out. They tolerate neglect and still look good.

With kalanchoe’s popularity, it’s no wonder many other succulents get mistaken for them. Let’s look at some common kalanchoe lookalikes.

Bryophyllum

Bryophyllum, especially Bryophyllum daigremontianum, looks nearly identical to many kalanchoe. They were once even classified in the same genus. Like kalanchoe, these succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that may have scalloped or serrated edges. They also produce plantlets along the leaf margins that drop and propagate new plants.

However, bryophyllum flowers have a more tubular shape versus the bell-shaped blooms of most kalanchoe. Bryophyllum also tends to have greener leaves without the red tints kalanchoe foliage often develops in sun.

Echeveria

With their rosette growth habit and succulent leaves, some echeveria resemble certain kalanchoe. Echeveria agavoides has pointy, triangular gray-green leaves similar in shape to kalanchoe luciae. Other species like echeveria ‘Doris Taylor’ have ruffled leaves resembling kalanchoe fedtschenkoi.

However, echeveria leaves are smoother versus the very plump, fleshy leaves of kalanchoe. Echeveria blooms also grow in clusters on tall stalks rather than the dangling, bell-shaped blooms of most kalanchoe.

Aeonium

Like kalanchoe, many aeonium feature rosettes of fleshy, succulent leaves. Aeonium arboreum’s central rosette resembles the structure of upright kalanchoe. The lance-shaped leaves of aeonium haworthii also closely mimic some kalanchoe varieties.

A key difference is aeonium’s small, star-shaped flower clusters. Kalanchoe are known for bell-shaped blooms instead. Aeonium also has smoother, less plump leaves than kalanchoe.

Sedum

Certain sedum like sedum rubrotinctum and sedum adolphii share similarities to kalanchoe in leaf shape and texture. Their thick, rounded succulent leaves have a very comparable look and feel to some kalanchoe varieties.

However, sedum leaves often have a bluer-green hue versus the greener kalanchoe leaves. Sedum also produces tiny, starry flowers in clusters, unlike the dangling, bell-shaped blooms of most kalanchoe.

Crassula

Some jade plant varieties like crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ or ‘Gollum’ have thick, succulent leaves in rosettes resembling certain kalanchoe species. The oval leaves with rounded tips mimic some kalanchoe, although crassula leaves are generally smaller.

Crassula’s tiny flowers in clusters are very different from kalanchoe blooms though. Crassula also lacks the red leaf edges and bright colors many kalanchoes develop.

Adromischus

The clumping rosettes of adromischus resemble kalanchoe. Their plump, spoon-shaped leaves have a similar look, especially adromischus cooperi which also has reddish leaf margins like some kalanchoes.

However, adromischus leaves are more compact and flatten at the base. Their small, urn-shaped flowers are another distinguishing feature from kalanchoe’s dangling blooms.

Cotyledon

With their succulent foliage and trailing stems, some cotyledon resemble kalanchoe. Cotyledon orbiculata’s round leaves flushed red mimic certain red-leafed kalanchoes. Cotyledon tomentosa has the same fuzzy coat on its leaves as kalanchoe tomentosa.

However, cotyledon leaves are smaller with finer marginal teeth. Their pendant, tubular flowers are also quite different from kalanchoe blooms. Cotyledon’s trailing stems are more flexible too.

Senecio

Certain senecio, like string of pearls, share a similar vining habit to trailing kalanchoe varieties. Their succulent, oblong foliage also looks comparable to some kalanchoe leaves.

However, senecio leaves are much smaller and cylindrical versus the larger, flatter kalanchoe leaves. Their flowering habits also differ, with senecio having tiny bloom clusters.

Cissus

With its vining stems and fleshy leaves, cissus rhombifolia resembles trailing kalanchoes quite a bit. Its oblong leaves with ruffled edges look very similar to some kalanchoes.

However, cissus leaves have a more tapered, elongated tip versus the rounded kalanchoe leaf ends. Cissus vines also develop thicker, woodier stems over time, unlike kalanchoe’s more delicate stems.

Key Differences Between Kalanchoe and Lookalikes

While other succulents may resemble kalanchoe in some ways, there are a few key differences that help set kalanchoe apart:

• Bell-shaped blooms – Most kalanchoes have beautiful, dangling bell or urn-shaped flowers. Lookalikes like echeveria and sedum have starry clusters.

• Red leaf margins – Many kalanchoes develop red tints on their leaf tips or edges, especially in sun. Lookalikes like jade plant lack this trait.

• Fleshy, plump leaves – Kalanchoe leaves tend to be very thick and juicy looking. Plants like aeonium and cotyledon have smoother, flatter leaves.

• Prolific propagation – Leaf and stem cuttings root readily to propagate new kalanchoe plants. Lookalikes propagate but not as easily.

Enjoying the Diversity of Kalanchoe and Its Lookalikes

While kalanchoe has some signature features, many other succulents share similarities like rosette shapes and trailing stems. Exploring the range of kalanchoe lookalikes allows you to appreciate the diversity within this plant group and experiment with different textures, forms, and colors.

Whether you’re seeking low maintenance indoor plants or vivid outdoor succulents, kalanchoe and its many lookalike plants offer fantastic options. Mix different shapes and textures for visual interest. Grow trailing types in hanging planters. Use them individually in pots or combine multiple varieties for a beautiful succulent arrangement.

So if you’re a fan of kalanchoe, branch out and get to know some of its doppelganger plants too! Discover new varieties to add unique beauty to your indoor and outdoor spaces.