IF you’re someone who dreams of lush greenery in your home but struggles to keep anything alive, all hope is not lost.
In fact, there’s one low-maintenance houseplant that’s almost impossible to kill – and will even TELL you when it needs some TLC.
Gardening expert Petar Ivanov from Fantastic Services has crowned the paddle plant as the ultimate indoor greenery for beginners or serial plant killers.
Scientifically known as kalanchoe thyrsiflora, it is a species of flowering plant native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini.
It gets its nickname for its paddle-shaped leaves.
Fortunately, paddle plants don’t just survive neglect; they thrive on it.
They have thick, fleshy leaves designed to store water for long periods.
You can go weeks without watering them, and they’ll still look stunning.
In fact, the biggest danger is actually giving it too much love, as overwatering is the most common cause of a paddle plant’s death.
The leaves will begin to wrinkle slightly and soften when the plant is thirsty, letting you know it’s time for a drink.
Paddle plants also aren’t a favourite snack for most insects.
The waxy and thick paddle-like leaves act as a natural barrier for pests, making it harder for creepy crawlies to set up camp.
Paddle plants’ slow-growing nature means you won’t have to repot them often, and they’re not fussy about specific soils, as long as it drains well.
A general cactus or succulent mix works just fine.
You can also pair them with similarly low-maintenance plants if you have a garden.
Petar explains: “Companion planting is an efficient way to garden as it involves planting greenery that will pair well together to help each other grow optimally.
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.
“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!
It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.
Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.
It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space.
October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”
“Certain combinations can make other plants more productive as they have complementary nutrient requirements and growth patterns.
“It can also improve plant and soil health and repel pests.”
You can nab a paddle plant for as cheap as £4 at online houseplant retailer, Between Two Thorns.
A burb reads: “The Kalanchoe thyrsiflora ‘Flapjack’ has large fleshy green leaves that are paddle-shaped which can change colour in the sun to a rosy blush.
“The leaves are a green-grey colour in the shape of a rosette and are about three to four inches long but can grow up to 12 to 18 inches.
“Native to Southern Africa, this plant grows in moderately arid regions.”
