Kalanchoe Flapjack vs Copper Spoons: Which Paddle Plant Is Right for You?
Some succulents are grown for their flowers. Others, like Kalanchoe, are grown for their leaves. Kalanchoe Flapjack and Kalanchoe Copper Spoons are both known as "paddle plants," thanks to their big, flat, rounded leaves that look like small paddles or spoons stacked on top of each other. Both are easy to grow and look great on their own, but they have some clear differences worth knowing before you choose.
This guide covers both plants in full, then helps you pick the right one.
If you haven't read it yet, check our Common Succulent Problems guide for basics that apply to almost every succulent, including both plants below.
Kalanchoe Flapjack
Flapjack grows in flat, wide, paddle-shaped leaves stacked in pairs up a short stem. The leaves are grey-green, and when they get plenty of sun, the edges turn a soft red or pink. It's a striking plant even without flowers, thanks to its bold, simple leaf shape.
Kalanchoe Flapjack: Quick Facts
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Other names | Flapjack Plant, Paddle Plant |
| Where it's from | Madagascar |
| How it grows | Upright, with flat paddle-shaped leaves stacked in pairs |
| Full size | 30–45cm tall, sometimes more with age |
| Leaves | Wide, flat, rounded, arranged in opposite pairs |
| Colour | Grey-green base, with red-pink edges in strong light |
| How fast it grows | Slow to medium |
| Light needed | Full sun to bright light for the best colour |
| Water needed | Let it dry out, then water well; avoid wetting the leaves |
| Flowers | Tall stalk of small yellow-orange flowers, usually in late winter or spring, on mature plants |
| Safe for pets? | Toxic if eaten — keep away from pets and children |
| How hard to grow | Easy |
| Best use | Standalone pot, feature plant, indoor windowsill |
How it grows: Flapjack grows upright with pairs of leaves stacked directly on top of each other, almost like a small tower. As it matures, it can produce a tall flower stalk, which is a nice bonus on top of its already striking leaf shape.
Light: Give it full sun or very bright light. The red-pink edge colour only shows up with strong light — in shade, the leaves stay plain grey-green and the plant can start to stretch.
Water: Water it the same simple way as other succulents — soak, then let it dry out fully. Try to water the soil rather than the leaves, since water sitting in the leaf folds can cause marks or rot.
Best use: Flapjack works well as a single feature plant on a sunny windowsill or outdoor pot. Its bold, simple shape doesn't need other plants around it to look good.
Kalanchoe Copper Spoons (Orgyalis)
Copper Spoons also grows in a paddle-like leaf shape, but the leaves are smaller, more spoon-shaped, and covered in a soft, fuzzy coating. The colour is where this one really stands out — a warm copper-orange to bronze tone that deepens with strong light, giving it a completely different look from Flapjack's grey-green and pink.
Kalanchoe Copper Spoons: Quick Facts
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Other names | Copper Spoons, Kalanchoe Orgyalis |
| Where it's from | Madagascar |
| How it grows | Upright, branching shrub with spoon-shaped leaves |
| Full size | 30–60cm tall, can grow larger over several years |
| Leaves | Smaller, spoon-shaped, with a soft fuzzy surface |
| Colour | Copper-orange to bronze, deeper in strong light |
| How fast it grows | Slow to medium |
| Light needed | Full sun for the richest copper colour |
| Water needed | Let it dry out, then water well; avoid wetting the leaves |
| Flowers | Small yellow flowers on mature plants, less common than Flapjack's blooms |
| Safe for pets? | Toxic if eaten — keep away from pets and children |
| How hard to grow | Easy |
| Best use | Standalone pot, garden bed feature, colour contrast plant |
How it grows: Copper Spoons grows into a branching, shrub-like shape over time, unlike Flapjack's simpler upright stack. This gives it a fuller, bushier look once it matures, rather than staying as a single narrow stem.
Light: Full sun brings out the deepest copper-bronze colour. Without strong light, the colour fades toward a duller green-brown, which takes away most of the plant's appeal.
Water: Same simple rule applies — water thoroughly, then let it dry out completely. The fuzzy leaf surface holds onto moisture a little longer than smooth leaves, so it's especially important not to overwater this one.
Best use: Copper Spoons works well as a colour feature in a garden bed or large pot, especially planted near green or blue-toned succulents where its warm copper tone really stands out by contrast.
Flapjack vs Copper Spoons: Quick Comparison
| Kalanchoe Flapjack | Kalanchoe Copper Spoons | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf shape | Large, flat, paddle-shaped | Smaller, spoon-shaped, fuzzy |
| Colour | Grey-green with red-pink edges | Copper-orange to bronze |
| Growth habit | Upright, stacked pairs | Branching, shrub-like |
| Full size | 30–45cm | 30–60cm |
| Flowers | More reliable yellow-orange blooms | Less frequent flowering |
| Best for | Bold, simple feature plant | Warm colour contrast in a garden or pot |
Which One Should You Grow?
- Want a big, bold single feature plant? Choose Flapjack — its large paddle leaves make a strong statement on their own.
- Want warm colour to contrast with other plants? Choose Copper Spoons — its bronze-orange tone stands out against greener succulents.
- Growing indoors on a windowsill? Flapjack tends to hold its shape a little better in a pot, though both need strong light to keep their colour.
- Building a mixed garden bed? Copper Spoons blends in as a colour accent, while Flapjack works better as a standalone centrepiece.
Both plants share the same basic care needs — strong light, water only when dry, and soil that drains well. The real difference comes down to colour and shape, so it often comes down to which look you prefer rather than which one is easier to grow.