- Mature height
- 1m to 2m
- Mature width
- 1m to 1.5m
Kalanchoe orgyalis, sold as Copper Spoons, is an evergreen succulent shrub with thick spoon-shaped leaves. New foliage emerges a warm cinnamon-copper with a suede-like surface and ages to a silvery grey beneath, so the plant carries two tones at once. The habit is upright and sculptural, branching as it matures.
It takes full sun to part shade and must have free-draining soil. Warm temperate, subtropical and dry inland gardens suit it, and it is frost sensitive, so keep it in a frost-free or sheltered position. Height gain is 15 to 40 centimetres a year. Yellow flowers appear in winter and spring on established plants.
It is planted in dry and Mediterranean-style gardens, in courtyard beds, on rockeries and among gravel, and in decorative containers where the copper foliage is seen up close. It suits architectural planting schemes with restrained colour. For a low water garden it supplies foliage interest all year without irrigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Copper Spoons
What is Copper Spoons?
Copper Spoons is the common name for Kalanchoe orgyalis, an evergreen succulent shrub from Madagascar in the Crassulaceae family. It is grown for its thick spoon-shaped leaves, which are copper-bronze when young and silver-grey underneath as they age. The felted surface catches the light and gives the plant a metallic look.
How big does Copper Spoons grow?
In the ground it generally forms an upright shrub of about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and around a metre wide over several years, occasionally taller in a warm frost-free spot. It is slow to get there. Container plants and regularly pruned plants stay considerably more compact than that.
How fast does it grow?
It puts on roughly 15 to 40 centimetres a year, with most of that in the warm months. Growth almost stops over winter, which is normal for the species and not a sign of trouble. Because it is unhurried, an advanced plant is the usual way to get an immediate feature.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
Warm temperate, subtropical and dry inland districts suit it best, so Brisbane, Perth, coastal New South Wales and the warmer parts of Adelaide and Sydney all work. In Melbourne, Canberra and Tasmania, grow it in a pot or a sheltered courtyard. It dislikes cold wet winters more than anything else.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive and can be damaged by frost, so it needs a frost-free or protected position such as under a verandah, against a north-facing wall, or beneath a tree canopy. Cold combined with wet soil is the fastest way to lose one. In cold areas keep it in a movable pot.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, it is well suited to containers and is often grown that way. Use a free-draining succulent mix, a pot with good drainage, and water only when the mix is dry through. Feed sparingly in spring. Containers also let you shift the plant under cover during a cold or unusually wet spell.
How do I care for Copper Spoons?
Keep water to a minimum, especially in winter, and never let it sit in wet soil. Full sun to part shade holds the copper tone. Tip prune in spring to encourage branching and remove any leaves that have been marked. A light feed once a year is plenty. Watch for mealybug in the leaf joints.