Kalanchoe Isn’t Just a Plant — It’s a Myth-Soaked Symbol of Life, Luck & Legacy

The Kalanchoe, a remarkable succulent flowering plant, occupies a unique position in the world of floriography—the symbolic language of flowers. While this vibrant plant may not have the extensive Victorian flower language heritage of roses or lilies, its cultural significance and symbolic meanings have evolved across diverse traditions, making it a fascinating subject for those studying plant symbolism and cultural botany. For this guide, I’ve dived into ethnobotanical research from multiple continents, traditional medicine documentation, feng shui practitioners’ guidance, and historical records from space exploration programs.

Etymology

The genus name “Kalanchoe” derives from the Chinese words “kalan chau,” meaning “that which falls and grows,” referencing the plant’s remarkable asexual reproductive ability where plantlets drop from leaf margins to establish new plants.

This etymological foundation provides the first clue to the plant’s symbolic significance—regeneration, persistence, and natural abundance.

The Meaning and Symbolism of Kalanchoe Flowers

In the Victorian era, freely speaking one’s thoughts and feelings was seen as a major social faux pas. Instead, members of the upper class used gifts of flowers to send coded messages.

Known as floriography, the practice began in the 17th century Ottoman Empire, but it really took off in 1800s Europe. In the language of flowers, each blossom had a specific meaning. The type, color, and even number of flowers one gave sent a symbolic message to the recipient.

Kalanchoe was associated with persistence, endurance, affection, and eternal love. This is due to its long bloom time, which can be up to months.

If you wanted to tell someone that your affection is long-lasting, a gift of Kalanchoe flowers would be a great way to convey your message without speaking.

Kalanchoe Flower Colors and Their Meaning

In the language of flowers, color is imbued with significance. Depending on the type, kalanchoe flowers bloom in shades of pink, red, yellow, and coral.

Floriography often associates pink with affection and gratitude, while red flowers symbolize love and romance. Yellow blooms convey cheer and good luck, while coral or orange hues often signify happiness, enthusiasm, and optimism.

Kalanchoe Flowers in Chinese Culture

In China, Kalanchoe is known as wan zi qian thong or “mother of millions.” The reference to “millions” refers to the multitudes of tiny blossoms the plants produce for months.

Thanks to the intense hues of its blooms, kalanchoe is associated with wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. It’s considered a lucky plant and a good choice for Chinese New Year or feng shui practices.

Persistence and Resilience

The plant serves as a living metaphor for self-sufficiency and resilience, with its ability to propagate asexually symbolizing regeneration and growth.

In floriography, this makes Kalanchoe an appropriate choice for conveying messages of perseverance through difficulties and the ability to thrive despite challenges.

Prosperity and Wealth

In Chinese culture, Kalanchoe is known as “thousands and millions of red and purple” and is celebrated for its symbolism of wealth and prosperity, making it a popular choice during Chinese New Year celebrations.

Feng Shui Applications

In Feng Shui practice, placing a Kalanchoe plant near the entrance of a home or office can invite prosperity and good luck, as the entrance is considered the gateway for energy to enter a space.

The plant’s robust nature is believed to foster stability and vitality in the home, with its upward growth and lush blooms seen as emblems of positive energy and progress.

Specifically, Kalanchoe potentially harmonizes with South-facing directions, as its vibrant red flowers can enhance the Fire element associated with the South, thus stimulating growth, prosperity, and recognition.

Traditional Medicine and Symbolic Healing

The plant’s symbolic meanings are deeply intertwined with its historical medicinal uses, which span multiple continents and cultures.

Ethnobotanical Heritage

Kalanchoe species are commonly used in popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, wounds, gastric ulcers, and other diseases, with acknowledgment by traditional and alternative health systems worldwide.

In the Amazon, indigenous peoples have long used Kalanchoe, with the Creoles using lightly roasted leaves for cancer and inflammations, while the Palikur mix leaf juice with oils for migraines and headaches.

The plant has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported healing properties, often prescribed for ailments such as inflammation, infections, and skin conditions. This medicinal heritage contributes to its symbolic association with healing, restoration, and protective care.

The “Miracle Leaf” Tradition

Some members of the genus Kalanchoe are known as “miracle leaf” because of their remarkable healing properties and traditional use in the treatment of several diseases and disorders. This designation reinforces the plant’s symbolic connection to hope, healing, and miraculous recovery.

Space-Age Symbolism

One of the most remarkable chapters in Kalanchoe’s cultural history occurred in 1979, when the plant was sent to the Soviet Salyut space station to combat astronaut loneliness and depression.

Cosmonauts Valeri Ryumin and Vladimir Lyakhov named their Kalanchoe the “life tree” and ensured it appeared in all television broadcasts from the station. This extraordinary event elevated the plant’s symbolic status as a source of comfort, hope, and life-sustaining energy even in the most challenging environments.

Later, cosmonaut Valentin Lebedev aboard Salyut 7 in 1982 found gardening with Kalanchoe to be his ultimate stress relief, writing in his diary: “I water the plants regularly, happily. I spoil them; I am too generous with water.”

Gift-Giving Symbolism

When giving a Kalanchoe, you’re not just giving a plant; you’re handing over a bundle of good vibes that says, “I care about your air quality and your fortune,” making it a thoughtful gift to friends, family, and loved ones.

Botanical Characteristics Supporting Symbolism

The plant’s distinctive features—including thick, scalloped-edged leaves that store water and tubular-shaped flowers that typically have four petals—physically embody its symbolic meanings of endurance and resourcefulness.

A unique characteristic is that Kalanchoes grow new cells on the interior of their petals to help them bloom and on the exterior to help flowers close, symbolizing the plant’s ability to adapt and control its own flowering cycles.

Kalanchoe Meaning and Symbolism – Wrapping Up

The lovely kalanchoe, rich in meaning and symbolism, offers long-lasting, colorful blossoms that brighten any room. They’re also a fabulous floral gift for someone you care about, as they send a message of enduring affection and faithfulness in the language of flowers. Give a kalanchoe for Valentine’s Day, as a good luck gift, or just to let someone know you’re thinking of them with affection and care.

For more, see our in-depth guide to the best types of purple houseplants.