Devil’s Backbone: A Quirky Succulent with a Reputation
Meet Devil’s Backbone (Kalanchoe daigremontiana), a succulent that’s either your gardening dream come true or your worst nightmare – and honestly, it might be both! This fascinating plant has earned quite the reputation among gardeners for its unique ability to literally create baby plants along the edges of its leaves. Whether you love it or find it slightly unsettling, there’s no denying that Devil’s Backbone is one interesting plant.
What’s in a Name?
Scientifically known as Kalanchoe daigremontiana, this plant goes by the dramatic common name Devil’s Backbone. You might also find it listed under its botanical synonym Bryophyllum daigremontianum in some references. The devilish nickname comes from the plant’s somewhat supernatural ability to spawn countless offspring without any help from you – which can be either magical or mildly terrifying, depending on your perspective!
Where Does Devil’s Backbone Come From?
Devil’s Backbone is native to Madagascar, but it’s made itself quite at home in warmer parts of the United States. This non-native perennial has established populations in Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, where it reproduces spontaneously and tends to stick around once it arrives.
What Does It Look Like?
This eye-catching succulent grows as a forb herb, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that can reach 2-4 feet in height. The real showstoppers are its distinctive triangular, blue-green leaves with purplish markings and serrated edges. But here’s where things get interesting – those serrated edges aren’t just for show. They’re actually tiny plantlet factories, constantly producing miniature versions of the parent plant that eventually drop off and root wherever they land.
Garden Role and Landscape Use
Devil’s Backbone works wonderfully as:
- A specimen plant in succulent gardens
- Container plantings (where you can better control its spread)
- Rock gardens and xeriscaping projects
- Indoor houseplants in bright locations
- Mediterranean-style drought-tolerant landscapes
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the reasons Devil’s Backbone has spread so successfully is that it’s remarkably easy to grow. Here’s what it needs:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential – soggy conditions will kill it faster than anything
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; water sparingly and let soil dry between waterings
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 9b-11; bring indoors or treat as annual in colder areas
Planting and Care Tips
Growing Devil’s Backbone successfully is almost embarrassingly easy:
- Plant in spring after any frost danger has passed
- Choose a location with excellent drainage – consider raised beds or containers
- Water deeply but infrequently; overwatering is the kiss of death
- Fertilize sparingly if at all – too much nutrition makes it grow too enthusiastically
- Remove flower stalks to keep energy focused on foliage
- Be prepared to manage the inevitable plantlet offspring
The Pollinator and Wildlife Situation
Let’s be honest – Devil’s Backbone isn’t going to win any awards for supporting local wildlife. Its small, tubular flowers provide minimal benefits to native pollinators, and as a non-native species, it doesn’t have the ecological relationships that our local wildlife depends on.
Should You Plant Devil’s Backbone?
This is where things get nuanced. Devil’s Backbone is undeniably fascinating and easy to grow, making it appealing for succulent enthusiasts and low-maintenance gardeners. However, its non-native status and prolific reproductive habits mean it’s not contributing to local ecosystems and could potentially spread beyond where you want it.
If you do choose to grow it, consider keeping it in containers where you can better manage its spread, and be diligent about collecting those plantlets before they establish themselves throughout your garden.
Native Alternatives to Consider
For gardeners interested in supporting local ecosystems while still enjoying interesting succulents, consider these native alternatives:
- Native sedums and stonecrops for similar low-water needs
- Native agaves and yuccas for dramatic architectural forms
- Regional native plants adapted to your specific climate and soil conditions
Devil’s Backbone is certainly a conversation starter and can be a fun addition to the right garden setting. Just go into the relationship knowing that this plant has a mind of its own when it comes to making babies – lots and lots of babies!
