Kalanchoe is a popular genus of succulent plants known for their vibrant and long-lasting flowers. Ideal for beginners, kalanchoe plants are relatively easy to care for and thrive in a variety of environments.
Basic care tips include providing well-draining soil, adequate sunlight, and a careful watering schedule. Besides caring tips, this guide explores factors responsible for kalanchoes not blooming, mitigating such problems, and how to propagate this succulent.
Kalanchoe is a genus of succulent plants within the Crassulaceae family, originating from Madagascar and tropical Africa. These hardy and adaptable succulents are favored for their striking, colorful blooms and thick, fleshy leaves.
These resilient plants are suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, making them a delightful choice for those new to plant care. With minimal effort, beginners can enjoy the beauty of kalanchoe blooms and the satisfaction of nurturing a low-maintenance plant.
Key features of Kalanchoe succulents include:
Fleshy leaves: Most Kalanchoe species have thick, succulent leaves that store water, allowing them to withstand periods of drought.
Flowering Varieties: The blooms come in a range of colors, including red, orange, pink, yellow, and white, depending on the species or cultivar.
Adaptability: They can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making them suitable for a variety of environments.
Low maintenance: Kalanchoes are generally easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners. They require well-draining soil, moderate sunlight, and a careful watering routine to prevent root rot.
Propagation: These succulents are relatively easy to propagate, often producing offsets or "pups" that can be separated and planted to grow new plants.
Toxicity: Some Kalanchoe species contain compounds that can be toxic to pets if ingested.
Kalanchoes are popular succulents known for their vibrant flowers and low-maintenance care. Here's a quick overview of how to keep your Kalanchoe happy and thriving:
Light: Kalanchoes prefer bright, indirect light indoors. Avoid the harsh midday sun, especially for potted plants.
Watering: Let the soil dry completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake with succulents.
Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, like cactus mix or succulent mix.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly with a diluted fertilizer during spring and summer.
Temperature: Kalanchoes prefer warm temperatures between 65 and 80°F. They can tolerate cooler temperatures but avoid frost.
Blooming: To encourage blooms, give your Kalanchoe at least 14 hours of darkness per day for 6–8 weeks.
The following steps will explain in much detail how to care for Kalanchoe, both indoors and outdoors.
Indoor care for Kalanchoe involves creating an environment that mimics its native conditions, providing the right balance of light, soil, water, and temperature. Here's a detailed guide for caring for Kalanchoe plants indoors:
Kalanchoes crave bright, indirect sunlight. Place your Kalanchoe near a south- or west-facing window where it can receive bright, indirect sunlight.
These succulents thrive in well-lit conditions, and exposure to adequate light is crucial for blooming. If natural sunlight is limited, you can supplement it with fluorescent grow lights positioned a few inches above the plant.
Use a well-draining succulent or cactus mix for indoor kalanchoes. The soil prevents water from accumulating around the roots, reducing the risk of root rot.
Choose a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Terracotta pots are ideal as they promote evaporation and prevent waterlogging, or you can also add perlite or sand to enhance the soil's drainage capabilities.
The key to Kalanchoe care is underwatering, not overwatering. They store water in their leaves, so letting the soil dry completely between waterings is crucial.
During spring and summer, water every 2-3 weeks when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. In winter, water is used even less frequently, like once a month.
Kalanchoes thrive in average room temperatures between 65 and 80°F (18 and 27°C). They can tolerate brief dips in temperature, but avoid exposing them to frost or freezing conditions.
Low humidity is preferred in the case of indoor care. Avoid placing your Kalanchoe near humidifiers or in overly damp bathrooms.
Fertilize sparingly, if at all. A light application of succulent fertilizer once a month during spring and summer is sufficient. Overfertilization can damage the plant.
Repot your Kalanchoe every 1-2 years when it outgrows its current pot. Choose a pot with drainage holes slightly larger than the previous one.
To encourage blooms, provide at least 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for 6–8 weeks during the fall and winter. This mimics their natural flowering cycle.
Once the flowers fade, prune them back to encourage bushier growth. You can also pinch off leggy stems to maintain a compact shape, and you can regularly prune dead or faded flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Kalanchoes are generally pest-resistant, but watch out for mealybugs and aphids. Keep an eye out for common indoor pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Treat any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure proper ventilation to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.
Kalanchoe plants contain toxic compounds, so place them in a location that is inaccessible to pets and children. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the plant to avoid potential skin irritation or the ingestion of harmful substances.
Outdoor care for Kalanchoe involves ensuring the succulent receives the right environmental conditions to flourish in an outdoor setting. Here's a brief guide for caring for kalanchoe plants when grown outdoors:
Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Amend your soil with sand or perlite if needed. Plant your kalanchoe in a pot or directly in the ground.
Watering: Water deeply when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Avoid overwatering, especially during rainy periods.
Sun protection: Kalanchoes can tolerate full sun in cooler climates but may need some afternoon shade in hot regions.
Winter care: In colder climates, bring your Kalanchoes indoors before the first frost. If they're planted in the ground, you can protect them with mulch.
Pests and diseases: Kalanchoes are relatively pest- and disease-resistant. However, watch out for mealybugs and aphids, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap.
Additional Tips:
Bring your Kalanchoes indoors before the first frost. They are not frost-hardy and will perish in freezing temperatures.
Acclimate them gradually to outdoor conditions before placing them in full sun. Start with a few hours of morning sun and gradually increase their exposure over a week.
Kalanchoes, with their plump leaves and cheerful blooms, are not only delightful to look at but also incredibly easy to propagate. This means you can turn one happy succulent into a whole family of vibrant greenery without needing a magic wand.
So, if you're ready to share the Kalanchoe love, grab your gardening gloves, and let's dive into three simple methods you can use:
This method is ideal for leggy kalanchoes or if you want to create bushier plants. Here's how to turn a stem into a mini-forest:
Choose a healthy stem with at least two leaves.
Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the stem just above a leaf node (the bumpy area where leaves emerge). Aim for a 2–3-inch cutting.
Just like with leaf cuttings, let the cut end callous for 2-3 days on a dry paper towel in bright, indirect light.
Fill a small pot with a well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Make a hole slightly deeper than the stem's length and gently place the cutting in, ensuring the node is covered with soil.
Water the soil lightly and keep the pot in bright, indirect light.
Some Kalanchoe varieties, like the popular "mother of thousands," surprise you with tiny plantlets sprouting directly on their leaves. These are nature's ready-made propagations! Here's how to give them their own homes:
Gently remove the plantlets from the mother leaf. You can twist them off or use a sharp knife to carefully separate them.
Fill small pots with a well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Make shallow holes and gently nestle the plantlets in the soil.
Water the soil lightly and keep the pots in bright, indirect light. Maintain slightly moist soil.
Kalanchoes are known for their vibrant blooms, but sometimes these cheerful succulents refuse to put on a show. Here are some common reasons why your Kalanchoe might be holding back on the flowers:
Light: Not enough sunshine or too much daytime light during the fall or winter can stop those buds from popping.
Watering: Overwatering or underwatering throws off their bloom schedule. Remember, soak, then dry.
Rest and food: They need a cool, dark rest period in the fall and a light feeding in the spring to fuel up for blooms.
Age and stress: Sometimes older plants or those stressed by pests or repotting just need a little more time to recover before blooming again.
The world of kalanchoes is a diverse and delightful one, bursting with shapes, sizes, and colors that can add a touch of succulent magic to any indoor or outdoor space. Let's delve into some of the most popular varieties, each with its own unique charm:
The undisputed queen of indoor kalanchoes, Flaming Katy, comes in a kaleidoscope of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to sunny yellows and soft pinks.
This compact charmer thrives in bright, indirect light and blooms profusely throughout the year with proper care.
As cuddly as its namesake, the Panda Plant boasts fuzzy, velvety leaves adorned with dark brown markings. This low-maintenance succulent, often called "Chocolate Drop," thrives in partial shade and adds a touch of whimsy to any succulent collection.
True to its name, Flapjacks features flat, paddle-like leaves that stack neatly, resembling a stack of delicious pancakes. This architectural gem offers year-round interest with its unique foliage and sporadic clusters of vibrant orange flowers.
Named for its spoon-shaped leaves covered in silvery powder, the Silver Spoon adds a touch of elegance to any indoor space. This easy-going succulent flourishes in bright light and requires minimal watering, making it perfect for busy plant parents.
Marnier's Kalanchoe brings a touch of the ocean indoors with its cascading stems adorned with long, blue-green leaves. This vining variety adds a tropical flair to hanging baskets and thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate humidity.
This is just a glimpse into the diverse world of Kalanchoes. With their varied shapes, textures, and colors, these succulents offer endless possibilities for adding character and charm to your home.
