Mexican Hat plant

Mexican Hat plant Care

Bryophyllum daigremontianum

Other names: Mexican Hat Plant, Devil's Backbone, Alligator Plant

What is the plant

The Bryophyllum daigremontianum has many different names, including Devil’s Backbone, Alligator Plant, and Mother of Thousands. This plant is poisonous and, while easy to care for, should be kept away from children and pets.

A fascinating plant with stunning leaves, the Mexican Hat Plant hails from Madagascar. This plant can occasionally flower with gray and violet flowers, after which it will die. When it does die, this plant releases tons of plantlets that will take root and grow anywhere, even among your other plants.

This plant is known for quickly spreading and being difficult to contain, so placing it in its own pot away from your other plants is ideal. They max out at 2-3 ft (.60 - .91 m) and are a toxic plant, so wear gloves whenever handling.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 20°C

Hardiness zone

9b - 11

Difficulty

Easy

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The Mexican Hat plant only requires watering to keep the soil wet. Once it has dried out, it is time to water your plant again. The leaves of this plant are prone to rotting, so take care to keep them dry.
Pruning
Pruning will help encourage the Mexican Hat plant to grow. The best pruning practice is to cut off the top most stem.
Fertilizer
Use a liquid fertilizer between early spring and fall to keep your Mexican Hat healthy.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Direct sunlight is best for this plant. Mexican Hat plants need constant sunlight and do not do well in frost or below-freezing temperatures.
Soil
Cactus soil is best for this plant. If you find the soil is retaining water too well, add in the sand to help with excess water.
Propagation
Place the plantlets from the mother plant in another plant and place them in a sunny spot. Small plants should begin to sprout, and repotting can then be done.

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Temperature
The ideal temperature for this plant is 65 – 75°F (16 – 24°C).
Container
A terracotta pot with drainage holes is best for this plant.
Fun fact
The toxic effects of ingesting this plant by humans or animals can cause heart failure.