Product Description:
Kalanchoe plants are thick-leaved succulents that are often seen in florist shops or garden centers. Most end up as potted plants but areas that can mimic their native land of Madagascar can grow them outdoors. The clusters of tiny flowers produce a large bloom held aloft on stems above the majority of the foliage. These plants need short winter light periods to form new buds. Kalanchoe is slow-growing, on average taking between two and five years to reach mature size. The kalanchoe “blossfeldiana” is the most frequently sold variety. This is a short, bushy, upright plant, about 12” to 18” inches tall and 6” to 20” wide , with thick, oval-shaped, scalloped leaves.
Light:
How much light for a kalanchoe plant: A kalanchoe plant needs bright, indirect light and can even tolerate direct sun during the fall, winter, and spring. Direct sun in the summer is too intense and burns the leaves.
Soil:
Outdoors, a kalanchoe plant grows best in well-drained, sandy soil. Indoor plants should be potted in a blend that doesn’t retain too much moisture, like a 50 percent potting soil and 50 percent cactus mix, or 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite.
Water:
The succulent kalanchoe plant has plump leaves that store water for long periods of time. These plants are easily over-watered which results in root-rot. Always allow the top 50% of the soil to dry-out before watering a kalanchoe.
Temperature and Humidity
Your household environment is important to the kalanchoe, though it’s not as picky as other indoor houseplants. Generally, it will thrive at temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so, with the exception of protecting it from frost, you don’t have to do much to create the proper indoor environment. Kalanchoe plants are not fussy about air moisture levels. As outdoor garden plants, kalanchoe is not a good choice outside of zones 10 to 12, as they don’t thrive at temperatures below 55 degrees and will instantly die if touched by frost.
Fertilizer:
Like most flowering plants, kalanchoe benefits from fertilizer, though they are less hungry than many plants. Garden plants require little more than a single light feeding in the spring. Indoor plants should be fed with a well balanced fertilize blend once a month during the spring and summer months, but not during the winter.
Pruning:
Pinching back the stems of a kalanchoe plant will help maintain its shape and promote more robust blooming.
Propagating Kalanchoe:
Kalanchoe is very simple to propagate, and doing so is actually beneficial to the plant’s health. As a mature kalanchoe grows, it produces offsets that can be taxing on the mother plant.
- Cut a segment of stem several inches long from a mature plant using a sharp clean knife or clippers. If using an offset, remove it at the joint where it connects to the parent plant.
- Allow the cutting to dry out for a few days, or until the end appears to have healed shut and calloused over.
- Plant the cutting in soil comprised of the same mixture used to grow the mother plant.
Potting and Repotting Kalanchoe:
Unlike plants that prefer to be pot bound, kalanchoe plants actually thrive best if repotted rather frequently, which encourages good drainage. For best results, repot your kalanchoe annually each fall after the plant has bloomed—doing so will encourage new growth and increase the plant’s fullness. Go up one 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.
