Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana · also called flaming Katy, florist kalanchoe, Christmas kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is an easy flowering succulent with long-lasting clusters of bright blooms. Give it lots of light and water only when the soil dries out.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent native to Madagascar, grown as a houseplant for its dense clusters of small, vivid flowers in red, pink, orange, yellow, and white that can last for weeks or even months. Its thick, scalloped, glossy green leaves store water like other succulents, giving it the drought tolerance and easy care of its desert relatives combined with showy, long-lasting blooms. It is often sold in full flower as a gift plant.
Because it is a succulent, kalanchoe is forgiving of forgetful waterers and thrives on bright light and a hands-off routine. The challenge most owners face is getting it to rebloom, since flowering is triggered by short days and long nights. With a deliberate period of darkness in fall and proper light the rest of the year, it can flower again and again. It is, however, toxic to cats and dogs, containing compounds that affect the heart if eaten.
How to care for Kalanchoe
Light
Give bright light, including several hours of direct sun, to fuel strong growth and abundant flowering. A south or west window is ideal. Too little light leads to leggy stems and few or no blooms.
Watering
Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out, roughly every 2 to 3 weeks, then let it drain fully. As a succulent it is very prone to rot, so it is far safer to underwater. Water even less in winter.
Humidity
Prefers average to low humidity and dislikes damp, stagnant air. Normal household humidity of 30 to 50 percent is perfect. Avoid misting and humid bathrooms, which encourage rot and mildew.
Temperature
Keep it between 60 and 85F during active growth. Protect it from temperatures below 50F and from frost. A slightly cooler period can help encourage flower bud formation.
Soil & potting mix
Use a fast-draining cactus and succulent mix, or amend regular potting soil with extra perlite or coarse sand. The mix must dry quickly to protect the roots from rot. A pot with drainage holes is essential.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer at half strength once a month during spring and summer, and as buds form. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which favors leaves over flowers. Stop feeding while the plant rests in winter.
Pruning & grooming
Deadhead spent flower clusters by cutting the stems back to encourage tidier growth and possible reblooming. Pinch leggy stems to keep the plant compact and bushy. Remove any dead or damaged leaves.
Repotting
Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring if the plant outgrows its pot, using fresh succulent mix. It is happy slightly snug, so avoid an oversized pot that holds too much moisture. Handle the brittle stems carefully.
Propagation
Propagate easily from stem or leaf cuttings. Let the cut end callus for a day or two, then set it in dry succulent mix and water sparingly until roots form. Cuttings root readily in warm, bright conditions.
Common Kalanchoe problems
- Won't rebloom. Failure to flower again is the most common complaint, caused by a lack of the long, dark nights flowering requires. Give the plant 14 hours of complete darkness each night for about 6 weeks in fall to trigger buds.
- Mushy stems and rot. Soft, blackening stems signal overwatering in this succulent. Cut away the rotted parts, let the soil dry out, and water only when the mix is fully dry, using a fast-draining pot and mix.
- Leggy, stretched growth. Long, weak stems with sparse leaves mean too little light. Move the plant to a sunnier window and pinch back the stems to restore a compact, bushy shape.
Kalanchoe FAQ
How do I get my kalanchoe to bloom again?
Reblooming requires mimicking the long nights of fall, since kalanchoe is a short-day plant. For about 6 weeks, give it 14 hours of total darkness each night, such as in a closet or under a box, and bright light during the day. Once flower buds appear, return it to its normal bright spot, and it will bloom again.
How often should I water a kalanchoe?
Water a kalanchoe only when the soil has fully dried out, which is usually about every 2 to 3 weeks, and even less in winter. Because it is a succulent that stores water in its leaves, it is much more vulnerable to overwatering and rot than to drought. Always let the pot drain completely and never let it sit in water.
Is kalanchoe poisonous to pets?
Yes, kalanchoe is toxic to cats and dogs because it contains cardiac glycosides that can affect the heart. Eating it commonly causes drooling and vomiting, and large amounts can lead to dangerous heart rhythm changes. Keep it well out of reach of pets and contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests any.