Quick answer: penwiper plant care at a glance
The penwiper plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) is a succulent with scalloped, blue-green leaves marked with purple-brown blotches. In general it does best with:
- Light: bright light, with some gentle direct sun
- Water: a thorough soak, then let the soil dry out before watering again
- Soil: a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix, often loosened with extra grit
- Temperature: normal room temperatures, and protection from frost and cold drafts
- Safety: treat it as poisonous to pets and people if eaten (see below)
Most problems with kalanchoe come from too much water or too little light, so those two factors deserve the most attention.
What is the penwiper plant?
Kalanchoe marmorata belongs to the kalanchoe genus, a large group of succulents that originate mainly from Madagascar and other parts of Africa. The common name “penwiper” is usually explained by the shape of its leaves, which have rounded, scalloped edges. It is often sold simply as “penwiper plant” or “pen wiper plant”, and it is grown mainly for its foliage rather than its flowers, although mature plants can produce clusters of small white flowers.
Compared with the better-known flowering kalanchoe sold as gift plants, the penwiper plant is larger and more open in habit, and the leaves are the main attraction. The basic care approach is similar for both.
Is the penwiper plant safe for pets and children?
No. Kalanchoe plants contain compounds known as cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides), which can affect the heart. The ASPCA lists kalanchoe as toxic to dogs and cats, and the same caution is sensible for children and other animals.
- Keep the plant out of reach of pets and small children, ideally on a high shelf or in a room they cannot enter.
- Do not allow animals to chew leaves or flowers, and clear up any fallen leaves promptly, since the plant drops them easily.
- If you suspect a pet or person has eaten any part of the plant, contact a veterinarian, a poison control service or a doctor right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
- Wash your hands after handling cuttings, and take care that pets do not reach the trimmings.
If you share your home with curious pets or toddlers, it is reasonable to choose a different plant instead.
Light
Penwiper plants generally prefer bright light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window, with a few hours of gentle direct sun, often works well indoors. In stronger light the purple markings on the leaves tend to become more pronounced.
Very strong midday sun through glass can scorch leaves, particularly if the plant has been in lower light and is moved suddenly. Introduce it to brighter conditions gradually.
In too little light, stems stretch and the leaves become farther apart and paler. This is called etiolation. Moving the plant closer to a window, or adding a grow light, usually helps new growth, though already stretched stems will not shrink back.
Watering
Like other succulents, kalanchoe store water in their leaves and stems, so they handle dry spells better than constant moisture.
- Water thoroughly, until water drains from the pot’s bottom holes.
- Let the soil dry out substantially before watering again. Checking with a finger or a wooden skewer is more reliable than following a fixed schedule.
- Empty the saucer so the pot does not sit in water.
- Water less often in winter, when growth slows and soil stays damp for longer.
Overwatering is the most common cause of decline. Mushy stems, blackening at the base and leaves that turn soft and translucent usually point to rot. Wrinkled or limp leaves in dry soil can mean the plant is thirsty.
Soil and pots
Use a cactus or succulent mix, and consider mixing in extra coarse material such as perlite or pumice for better drainage. Standard potting soil on its own tends to stay wet for too long.
Choose a pot with drainage holes. Terracotta dries faster than glazed or plastic pots, which can help if you tend to overwater. Kalanchoe do not need frequent repotting; refresh the soil and move up a pot size only when roots fill the container, usually in spring.
Temperature and humidity
Average household temperatures suit the penwiper plant. It is not frost tolerant, and cold drafts, chilly windowsills in winter and temperatures dropping toward about 10°C (50°F) can damage it. Keep it away from heating vents and radiators as well. Our succulent winter care guide has more on keeping succulents steady through the cold months.
Normal indoor humidity is fine. Extra misting is not needed and can encourage rot or leaf spotting.
Feeding
Feed lightly during the spring and summer growing season, using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half the label strength or less, roughly once a month. Skip feeding in autumn and winter. Over-fertilizing can lead to weak, soft growth.
Propagation
Penwiper plants propagate readily from stem cuttings and leaves, and some produce small plantlets along the leaf edges.
- Cut a healthy stem section or remove a plantlet with a clean blade.
- Let the cut end dry for a few days so it forms a callus.
- Place it on, or lightly insert it into, a barely moist, gritty mix.
- Keep it in bright light and water sparingly until roots form.
Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, and keep trimmings away from pets and children.
Common problems
- Leggy, stretched growth: usually too little light. Move closer to a window.
- Soft, mushy or blackened stems: often overwatering or poor drainage. Cut away rotted tissue and repot in dry, gritty mix if the plant can be saved.
- Dropping leaves: may be caused by overwatering, underwatering, cold drafts or sudden changes in position.
- Brown or bleached patches: may be sunburn from strong direct sun.
- White, cottony patches: may be mealybugs. Dab them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and isolate the plant.
- Powdery white coating on leaves: can be powdery mildew, which is more likely in stagnant, humid air.
Other kalanchoe worth knowing
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (flowering kalanchoe)
This is the compact plant sold in garden centers and supermarkets with clusters of small red, pink, orange, yellow or white flowers. Care is similar: bright light, a free-draining mix and water only after the soil has dried. It differs in that it blooms in response to long nights, so getting it to flower again takes some planning. Our guide to whether kalanchoe is an annual or perennial covers how long it lives and how to keep it going, and the double-flowered type is discussed in Is Calandiva an indoor plant?.
Kalanchoe pinnata
Kalanchoe pinnata is commonly known as the air plant, cathedral bells, life plant or miracle leaf, because plantlets form along its leaf margins. Despite its reputation in folk medicine, it should not be eaten or used on the skin or on animals as a home remedy, and it is toxic to pets like other kalanchoe.
Disadvantages of growing kalanchoe
Kalanchoe are easy plants, but a few drawbacks are worth weighing:
- Toxicity: a real concern in homes with pets or small children.
- Legginess: plants stretch in low light and may need pruning or a brighter spot.
- Overwatering sensitivity: forgiving of neglect, less so of too much care.
- Short lifespan of gift plants: flowering types are often discarded after blooming, and reblooming takes effort.
- Pests and mildew: mealybugs, aphids and powdery mildew can appear, particularly in poor airflow.
- Cold sensitivity: they need protection from frost.
How long does a kalanchoe last?
With good light and careful watering, a kalanchoe can live for several years as a houseplant. A single flowering display typically lasts for several weeks to a few months. Older plants often become leggy, and many growers renew them by taking cuttings. Lifespan varies with species and growing conditions, so any single number would only be a rough guide.
FAQ
Is the penwiper plant easy to care for?
It is generally considered beginner friendly, as long as it gets plenty of light and the soil is allowed to dry between waterings.
How much light does a penwiper plant need?
Bright light with some gentle direct sun is a good starting point. Watch the leaves and adjust: stretching suggests too little light, and bleached patches suggest too much.
Can I put my penwiper plant outside?
It can be placed outdoors in warm, frost-free weather, ideally in bright shade or morning sun, then brought back in before temperatures drop.
Is kalanchoe poisonous?
Yes. Treat all kalanchoe as toxic to cats, dogs and people if eaten, and keep them out of reach.