Copper Spoons

Copper Spoons (*Kalanchoe orgyalis*) is a slow-growing succulent shrub with upright woody stems and distinctive spoon-shaped leaves. New leaf surfaces are covered in copper, bronze, or cinnamon-colored hairs, while older leaves and their undersides become silvery gray. ## Plant profile Native to Madagascar, this species grows on dry, rocky ground. It is usually grown for its sculptural foliage, though it can also produce clusters of tubular flowers; a warm-climate botanical garden reports yellow or pink blooms in late winter or early spring, while the [Chicago Botanic Garden](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/kalanchoe-orgyalis-copper-spoons) lists summer-to-fall flowering in its collection. [Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens](https://www.pslbg.org/copper-spoon/) gives a mature height of 3–6 feet and a narrow 8–16-inch spread. It works well in a container, succulent bed, rock garden, or as a small accent. Kew records the species as native to Madagascar in its [Plants of the World Online profile](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:274427-1/general-information). ## Growing conditions Provide bright light, from full sun to partial shade, and a sharply draining succulent mix. Acclimate gradually to intense direct sun, which can scorch leaf tips. Water moderately during warm growth, letting the surface dry between waterings; keep the mix much drier in cool weather. It is frost-sensitive, so grow it in a movable pot or shelter it when temperatures approach freezing. ## Maintenance Remove dry leaves and spent flower stalks as needed. If stems become leggy, prune lightly during warm active growth and allow cut surfaces to dry before replanting cuttings. Watch for aphids and powdery mildew, especially when airflow is poor or foliage stays damp.