Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana : How to Grow and Care

The genus Kalanchoe includes more than 100 species of plants, but only a few are cultivated regularly. The most recognizable is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, commonly known simply as kalanchoe. Native to Madagascar and closely related to the jade plant, K.

Blossfeldiana is a succulent perennial with scalloped leaves and inflorescences with a canopy extending above the stem. It has an exceptionally long flowering period compared to other succulents.

Kalancho thrives in arid environments and is a popular and easy to grow houseplant. Growers are attracted to kalanchoe because of its easy care and interesting leaves, as well as flowers that bloom continuously if light is properly controlled.

Kalanchoe grows slowly, taking an average of two to five years to reach adult size. Available in beautiful reds, pinks, yellows and whites, Kalanchoe is easy to find in many grocers, nurseries and florists, especially during the holiday season.

However, curious pet owners at home should be careful about where they store kalanchoe – all parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats.

Common Name	Common Name Kalanchoe, flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe
Botanical Name	Botanical Name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Family	Crassulaceae
Plant Type	Perennial, succulent
Mature Size	6–18 in. tall and wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun, partial shade
Soil type	Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic (5.8 to 6.3)
Bloom Time Varies	requires 6 weeks of 14-hour nights
Flower Color	Yellow, red, orange, pink, white
Hardiness Zones	10–12, USDA
Native Area	Africa (Madagascar)
Toxicity	Toxic to pets, considered non-toxic to humans

How To Care Kalanchoe Care

If you’re looking to grow a succulent that looks a little more beautiful, look no further than kalanchoe (Kalanhoe blossfeldiana). Like many succulents, kalanchoe is relatively self-sufficient, preferring full sun and well-drained soil.

In warm regions (10 to 12) where grown outdoors, kalanchoe needs well-draining sandy soil; it eats a limited amount of water, as long as it receives enough light. As a houseplant, cactus mix potting soil is best and it does best , bright indirect light.

Indoors or outdoors, kalanchoe adapts well to a wide range of temperatures, as long as it is not affected by frost. Its flowering cycle is triggered by a long period with long periods of nocturnal darkness in winter. Starting in spring, you’ll see colorful blooms that can last for several weeks and can repeat most times of the year, as long as you control your exposure to light.

Kalanchoe plants are relatively trouble free. You may notice problems with spiders, scaly insects, or powdery mildew, but even these problems are rare.

Light For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

The bloom cycle of this plant is activated over a period of about six weeks when the plant spends at least 14 hours in the dark each day. About four months after this period, the plants will begin to flower. It is possible to keep the plant in bloom for most of the year if it is dark in the winter to reestablish the bloom cycle.

Indoor Kalanchoe plants need a lot of light to flower, so keep them in a room with lots of bright, natural light. However, avoid placing them in full sun, as this can burn the leaves and reduce flowering.

Soil For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Outdoors, kalanchoe plants grow best in sandy, well-drained soil. Houseplants should be grown in a mix that doesn’t hold too much moisture, such as a mix of 50% potting soil and 50% cacti, or 60% peat moss and 40% perlite.

To ensure good drainage and avoid an overly wet environment, you can also plant kalanchoe in a clay pot to help drain excess water from the soil.

Water For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

If you have a habit of forgetting to water your plants from time to time, then kalanchoe might be the perfect choice for you. This hearty plant grows well with minimal watering, requiring only adequate watering every few weeks or so (and even less frequently during the winter months).

Let the soil dry completely between waterings to help prevent root rot. Because kalanchoe is a succulent plant, its leaves are actually capable of storing water; even if you water a few days late, the plant will be fine.

Temperature and Humidity For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Your indoor environment is important for kalanchoe, although it’s not as picky as other houseplants. In general, it will thrive in temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so aside from protecting it from freezing, there’s not much you need to do to create the right indoor environment. Kalanchoe plants are not picky about air humidity.

As an outdoor garden plant, kalanchoe isn’t a good choice outside of zones 10 through 12 because it doesn’t thrive in temperatures below 55 degrees and will die instantly if it frosts.

Fertilizer For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Like most flowering plants, kalanchoe benefits from fertilizer, although it is less hungry than many plants. Garden plants need less than one springtime feeding.

Houseplants should be fed a balanced fertilizer mix once a month during the spring and summer months, but not during the winter. If flowers are sparse, switch to a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content.

Types of Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeidiana has many unnamed varieties with different shades of yellow, red, orange, pink and white. Grown outdoors, they usually bloom in spring, but houseplants can flower almost year-round. There are also several related species that make good garden and houseplants.

K. Manginii

This species has fleshy leaves and bears large, drooping bell-shaped flowers. Moist air is an essential part of its prolonged flowering. Sometimes called the chandelier plant, this species is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11.

K. porphyrocalyx

Also known as the Pearl Bell, this species consists of slender rectangular leaves and drooping purple flowers. It is very hardy in zones 11 and 12.

K. beharensis

This kalanchoe is prized for its large velvety leaves of a pale silvery green color. Sometimes called elephant-eared kalanchoe, it is hardy in zones 9 through 11.

K. pinnata

This kalanchoe is characterized by fleshy green leaves and bears small saplings along its edges. Commonly known as a church bell, it hardens in zones 10 and 11.

Tips Pruning For Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Pinching the kalanchoe stem will help maintain its shape and promote more vigorous flowering.

Propagating Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is very simple to propagate and it is really beneficial for the health of the plant. As a mature kalanchoe tree grows, it creates offsets that can affect the parent plant. Instead of allowing them to draw nutrients from the mature plant, you can propagate the seedlings (or cuttings) at any time. Here to how :

1. Cut a few inches long stem from the mature plant with a sharp knife or scissors. If you’re using an offset, remove it at the joint where it connects to the parent tree.
2. Let the cut dry for a few days or until the tip appears to have healed and callused.
3. Dip the bottle tips of the cut in a rooting stimulant after the cut has healed.
4. Plant the cut in soil made from the same mixture used to grow the parent plant.
5. Leave the newly planted cut in a bright, indirect light, but do not water; The stem will take root within a month, then you can take care of it like you take care of an adult kalanchoe.

Tips to Grow Kalanchoe From Seed

These slow-growing plants are often grown from cuttings, which give faster results, but they are relatively easy to grow from seed. Sow seeds on top of loose potting soil in early spring; Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate.

Place the media in a plastic bag to increase the humidity until they germinate, which takes about 10 days. After about two months, you can transplant the seedlings into separate pots or plant them outdoors.

Tips Potting and Repotting Kalanchoe

Unlike potted plants, kalanchoe plants do best if repotted frequently enough, which promotes good drainage. For best results, repot your kalanchoe each fall after the plant has flowered, this will encourage new growth and increase plant fullness. Increase the container size each time you repot.

Make sure to use a well-draining pot; Clay is a good choice, as the material is porous and will help keep the soil relatively dry.

Tips to Get Kalanchoe to Bloom

With the right care and environment, kalanchoe plants can bloom year-round indoors. The most essential component of a regularly flowering kalanchoe plant is enough sunlight. In order for your kalanchoe plant to flower to its full potential, it needs to be located where it receives at least six to eight hours of light per day.

However, in the fall and winter, it is important that the plant undergoes near complete darkness during other hours of the day. 14 hours in the dark daily, hours over a period of at least six weeks, is required for the plant to accumulate energy for subsequent flowering.

Fertilizing flowers after flowers fade is also a great way to stimulate flowers to continue flowering. If you’re trying to help your plants achieve flowering, look for a fertilizer mix that’s high in phosphorus, which can help your plant produce more buds the next time it blooms.

Problems When You Grow Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Kalanchoe plants are extremely easy to grow, but problems can arise when they are not watered properly or if they experience extreme heat.

Damaged Blooms, Soft, and Leaves

Plants affected by near-freezing temperatures will often have stunted leaves or flowers. For best performance, keep these plants at temperatures above 50 degrees F.

Wilting

Excessive heat can cause leaves to wilt. Ideally, keep these plants below 80 degrees F.

Burned Leaves Or Drab

Good light exposure is key to a plant’s beauty. Too little light, the leaves will lose their characteristic bright green color. Too much direct sunlight and you can burn the leaves. Indoor kalanchoes will do best in a location with lots of indirect light but not too much direct sunlight.

Soft, Fragile Stems

A very common problem with kalanchoe is over-watering or growing in soil that holds water. Too much water can easily cause the roots and stems of these plants to rot. If you see this problem start, withhold water until the plant recovers.

Failure to Bloom

When kalanchoe doesn’t fail for bloom, it’s usually because it hasn’t benefited from the long winter darkness that allows the plant to re-establish its flowering cycle. During the winter months, these plants need a six-week period for them to experience darkness at night for 14 hours a day. Without this reset period, the plant usually does not bloom again.

FAQ

Sure! Here is a FAQ on how to grow and care for Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana:

• What is Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana?
  Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is a species of succulent plant that is native to Madagascar. It is popular for its vibrant and long-lasting flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and more.
• What kind of environment does Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana thrive in?
  Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana grows best in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. It should be protected from harsh direct sunlight and extreme heat or cold.
• How often should I water my Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana plant?
  It’s best to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Over-watering can be harmful to the plant and cause root rot. In general, watering once a week should be enough, but the frequency can vary depending on the environment and the season.
• How can I encourage my Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana to rebloom?
  To encourage reblooming, it’s important to provide the plant with plenty of bright, indirect light and to reduce watering after the flowers have faded. You can also trim back the plant to encourage new growth.
• What are some common pests or diseases that Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is susceptible to?
  Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana can be prone to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves or sticky residue, which can indicate a pest infestation. To prevent disease, make sure to provide good air circulation and avoid overwatering.
• Can Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana be propagated?
  Yes, Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana can be propagated from stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting, allow the cut end to callus over, and then plant it in well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and in a few weeks, roots should begin to form.

I hope these FAQs help you with growing and caring for your Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana plant! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.