Kalanchoe pinnata – Medicinal Wonder Plant

Kalanchoe pinnata is a medicinal wonder plant: a succulent that is easy to grow, suitable for pots and even indoor gardening. It is highly ornamental and used to be a common houseplant. But take care – this is also a very weedy plant if allowed into the garden. Always grow it in a pot, ideally placed on a hard surface, so it doesn’t spread into unwanted areas.

Growing Conditions

Kalanchoe is a tough succulent that prefers drier climates and free-draining soil, yet it has survived both wet and clay soils for me. It thrives in warm weather and can be overwintered indoors in frost-prone areas. This makes it a versatile plant to keep in your collection.

Medicinal Properties

Kalanchoe has a long tradition of medicinal use across the tropics. It is reported to be anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, wound-healing and even used in folk medicine for conditions such as high blood pressure, colds, flu, and in some accounts, cancer.

Caution: The plant contains bufadienolides, cardiac glycosides that may cause toxicity if ingested in large amounts.

Traditional Culinary Uses

In parts of India, fresh Kalanchoe leaves are used in tiny amounts to make a chutney, usually blended with green chilies, garlic, ginger, salt, and sometimes coconut. It is unclear to me weather these preparations are meant to be of culinary use or medicinal use because of mentioned toxicity.

Leaves may also be soaked and macerated to make herbal preparations. Another traditional use is as a natural shampoo — leaves are softened in water and applied to the scalp.