Leaves that Sprout Plants

These plants reproduce by copying themselves.

Looking closely at the leaves of kalanchoe plants, you can see tiny sprouts growing from the leaf edges. Each of these plantlets can grow into a clone—a genetic copy of the parent plant.

What’s going on?

Many plants, including kalanchoe, can reproduce in two ways: asexually by sprouting plantlets, or sexually by making flowers and seeds. Making plantlets uses less energy, but sex creates diverse offspring, increasing the odds that some will survive hard times.

This web project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MA-30-16-0175-16].