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Kalanchoe care

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana belongs to Crassulaceae family.  It is an attractive plant with fleshy, scalloped leaves that bear clusters of star-like flowers and comes in a myriad of vibrant colors. Given the right growing conditions this low-maintenance plant will bloom up to 10 weeks. It blooms naturally in late winter to late spring but growers can make it available any time of year as long as it gets 6 weeks of 14 hours of darkness. This succulent plant can tolerate dry soil and low humidity which makes them an ideal indoor plant during the winter.

white & red kalanchoe

Care:
Kalanchoe needs bright light, full sun (south window) in the winter and some shade during the heat of summer (east/west window). The fleshy leaves will blush red when exposed to full sun.  Grow it in well-drained soil consisting of peat, sand or perlite and sterile soil. Cooler temperatures and bright light will prolong blooming.  Remove spent flowers for a neater appearance. When all flowers are spent, enjoy your Kalanchoe as a houseplant.

Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry. They are drought tolerant so allow the top half to dry out before watering again. Don’t over water, soggy soil will cause stem and root rot. If the lower leaves start to shrivel and yellow, then the soil is too dry. 
Feed a balanced liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks when actively growing and when in bloom.  

Problems: Scale, mealy bugs and root mealy bugs , mites

Reblooming : Some feel it is hardly worth the effort. It is difficult but can be done. To rebloom, remove all dead flower stalks and when new growth appears start feeding with a 15-30-15 fertilizer at 1/2 strength in March-October. Kalanchoe, like Poinsettias are short-day flowering plants which require 6 weeks of 14 hr nights and bright light during the day with temperatures of 60F at night and 70F during the day. Blooming should start within 4 months after treatment.
You can also propagate your plant from tip cuttings taken in spring. Root them in a mix of peat moss and coarse sand and place in bright filtered light.

calandiva

An exciting new variety is the Calandiva, a double-flower that looks like a cluster miniature roses and comes in a variety of colors. It has the same growing requirements as the Kalanchoe.

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34 comments to Kalanchoe care

  • Crissa

    I received a small kalanchoe as a gift last year. It is no longer small! What do people usually do with this plant when its branches are in excess of 2 feet each? Tie it to stakes or turn it into a hanging plant? I like it but am a bit bewildered! : )

    It sounds as if your plant needs more light. Low light promotes weak and leggy growth. Give your plant some tough love; cut back the leggy branches by at least 1/2 to make it more managable and repot, place it in a sunny window or outdoors (when the weather warms up). Keep it on the dry side. It will in turn get bushier. Root stem cuttings to make new plants.

    .

  • beth

    I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD. IS THIS PLANT POISONOUS FOR HIM? I READ ABOUT MITES. IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR INSIDE A HOUSE AND WITH A CHILD.

    According to the NAPCC and ASPCA, Kalanchoe spp. are listed as poisonous when ingested by animals (cats & dogs). I’m sure it would also affect a one yr. old. The symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. If you are referring to spider mites, they are harmless. If you decide to treat them with insecticidal soap do it outdoors so as not to expose your child to any chemicals.

  • Ann Viers

    I live in Ohio can this plant be put in ground to come back in spring?

    Unfortunately, Kalanchoe is hardy in zones 10-11 and would not survive an Ohio winter. This succulent plant comes from a tropical African climate. You will have to bring it indoors for the winter. They do great planted in containers.

  • Dot Galvin

    I have a new blooming Kalanchoe house plant and am wondering if I could put it in a hanging basket on the outside deck for the summer months.

    Yes, Kalanchoe will enjoy the warm, sunny weather during the summer and may even bloom for you when you bring it back indoors in the fall.

  • Michelle

    My Kalanchoe plant has developed brown spots on it’s leaves. What is this a sign of and what should I do?
    Michelle

    Small raised brown spots 1-3mm in diameter can be a sign of two problems: 1) edema (oedema) a physiological disease, which is caused by high humidity, too much water. 2) a fungal leaf spot that closely resembles edema and can only be verified with lab testing. This is also caused by high humidity and high temperatures. Control for the fungal disease is to keep the foliage dry , reduce humidity, don’t crowd the plant and remove any infected leaves. Spray with an approved fungicide as a preventative. In both diseases, the spots stay the same size for up to 8 months. Edema is more likely to occur. Larger brown spots (Botrytis) on leaves and stems can occur during humid conditions.

  • Rosy Conboy

    I received an orange Kalanchoe plant the last week in April from a florist shop – I just love it – but my flowers started getting pale and eventually started wilting. I cut them off – it looks like I am still getting some flowers/leaves. Is this the time I would put it in the dark for 14 hours for 6 weeks and will it start to bloom again? Or won’t it bloom now until October? Thanks!

    Enjoy the plant right now. Put it outside in a semi-shade spot and let it grow and bloom. Once they are done blooming they will need a rest period and the longer nights will once again trigger the blooming cycle. So wait till the fall when we have 14 hrs. nights naturally to get it to rebloom.

  • Jennifer

    I recieved an orange Kalanchoe plant for a gift, and until recently it was doing fine. I accidently left the plant in the car overnight, and due to the summer heat, the entire plant has wilted. Is there anything I can do to bring this plant back?

    Water the plant(don’t let it sit in water), leave it in the shade for a few days and see if it recovers. You may have some damaged leaves/flowers which you can trim back. They are tough plants and tolerate adverse conditions.

  • MARY

    I see the plant, Kalanchoe is listed as poisionous to cats and dogs. Do you tink it would be poisionous to a miniature sheep?

    Yes, Kalanchoe is also poisonous to sheep. Poisoning occurs often in places like Australia and S. Africa during the summer when sheep are grazing . The flowers have a higher concentration of cardiac glycosides causing heart problems. Check this site for more info http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/vetm1104_933-936.pdf?docID=5621&AddInterest=1101

  • Samuel Robinson

    I have a kalanchoe plant it is a house plant.
    I am having problem with the leaves on it . It is turing soft and dry at the end of it. Do I have to much water in it?

    You may have overwatered. It’s better to err on the dry side with a Kalanchoe. Keep it cool and dryer in the winter months.

  • Greg

    By chance can you tell me what the Kalanchoe is hardy to? I’ve looked all over for the dangerouse low temperature.

    The lowest temperature it can tolerate is in the 30’s F. It’s hardy in zones 10-11 sometimes if protected 9b

  • Janice

    My plants has spots on the stems for the flowers and little white spots (that fall off) all over the leaves. I guess this is mites?
    Please help.

    Do the “spots” fly when the plant is disturbed?

  • liz

    i have a kalanchoe house plant, i water once a week, and summer temperatures are 90 degrees, but it is wilting. Does that mean i have to put it in the shade or more sun?

    Hi Liz
    Put it in partial shade and let it dry before watering again. You may be overwatering it. Is it oudoors?

  • Qiuyi

    I just got a Kalanchoe for my room as an indoor plant and I live in the tropics, where it’s hot (average 85 degrees F) and humid every day of the year. Would it be better out on the balcony? Would it survive this heat?

    HI Qiuyi
    Kalanchoe is a tropical plant, native to Madagascar, zone 10-11. Enjoy it indoors and when its done blooming set it on your balcony. It should be fine outdoors and will tolerate heat. If it gets too hot move it to a shaded area.

  • Esten

    I have a plant that I bought and it stated it was a kalanchoe but it does not look like my other one it has light large green flat leaves. the stem is thick and when it gets colder outside the tips of the leaves turn red. could this be another variety

    Hi Esten
    It most likely is another version of Kalanchoe. The leaves can be light green, if the plant is spindly and has pale leaves then it could be caused by low light or underfertilization. Red leaves can be caused by cool temperatures and in summer too much sun.

  • Kathy

    I just received the Kalanchoe plant for Valentines Day, Its a beautiful plant, but after reading all the questions and problems, it seems like a very difficult plant to take care of. Right now it has flowers and no brown spots.

    Hi Kathy
    Enjoy your Kalanchoe. It should be in bloom for several months and when its done and you still want to keep it grow it as a houseplant or discard it. It isn’t a difficult plant to grow, to get it to bloom is a little tricky.

  • Erica

    Propagate Kalanchoe
    Hello, I also received my Kalanchoe plant as a gift. I do love it but I have a couple of concerns. I repotted it from the green plastic pot it came in to a pot that’s not very wide but extends 6-7 inches below the lowest leaves. Should I repot to a shorter pot? I would also love to propagate the plant, what is the best way to do so and how often should I water the repotted clipping? Thank you very much for your time!

    Hi Erica
    Your Kalanchoe plant should be fine in the new container. To propagate your kalanchoe, take 4-6 inch cuttings, remove the lower leaves so you end up with a stem 2-3″ long. Place the cutting on a counter for 1-2 days so that it can form a callus. Plant in a 3 inch pot filled with a cactus type soil (free- draining) and water. Insert the cutting, so the leaves are just above the soil surface. Rooting should take 1-3 weeks. You can also root them in water. Once rooted plant in 3-4 inch pots. Kalanchoe should be kept on the dry side, to avoid root rot. Water when to top 2″ of soil are dry.

  • Barbara

    I have a question regarding removing the old blooms from the Kalanchoe plant….everything I read says ‘remove the old blooms’. Does this mean down to the mother plant or to the first set of little leaves? Will those little leaves grow or should they be removed?
    Thanks

    Hi Barbara
    Remove the old bloom with the stem attached up to the first set of leaves on the mother plant.

  • Marjorie

    I live in Western Canada & have just received a Kalachoe plant as a gift. Can I put it outside in a container for the remainder of the Spring & Summer?
    Thank-you

    Hi Marjorie
    Yes, it will enjoy the great outdoors. Put it in the shade until it get used to the brighter light. If you’re lucky it may even rebloom next winter.

  • Ann

    I have a Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana that’s probably over 10 years old. It has developed very long bare branches with leaves on the ends. How do I get it to look like a normal potted plant again? Should I cut everything off and let it start over from the ground up? Believe it or not, it’s in bloom now.

    Hi Ann
    Mine also did that because I didn’t cut it back. Once it is done blooming cut it back to about 4 inches. it will send out side shoots on the stem. Use the tip cuttings to start new even better plants. See propagating kalanchoe comments.

    ps I’m not sure how a 10 year
    old plant will respond to severe pruning.

  • Marjorie

    Thanks for the reply. What about watering? I have a succulant garden in an old bar-b-que, would the Kalanchoe work there & the rain we so often get—would it hurt it?
    I have a Pear Cactus doing famously also spreading Sedum.

    Hi Marjorie
    As long as the soil doesn’t become soggy and water logged, it shuld be fine.

  • Teresa

    Hi, you stated that the Kalanchoe plant needs six weeks of 14 hour nights. I am not clear about where the plant should be stored during this time. I keep it as a houseplant now in front of a huge picture window. Should it be moved in the fall, and if so to where?

    Thanks,
    Teresa

    Put it in a room that you don’t use in the evenings, where you don’t turn on the lights.

  • Jill

    I rec’d a Kalanchoe as a gift and it is beautiful, however it is very full in the pot it came in and the leaves are touching the soil. I know it’s only to be watered when the soil gets dry and I’ve being doing that but the leaves near the base of the pot are turning yellow and I want to know what to do. Should I replant in a larger pot? What about the yellow and dried out leaves? Thank you

    Hi Jill
    You may be keeping it too dry causing the lower leaves to yellow. It can also be a sign of nutrient deficiency or a normal shedding of older leaves. It may need to be repotted. Check the roots, are they crowded and tightly wrapped around the root ball? If you repot put it in a container 1 inch larger than the current one.

  • Mari

    I just got a kalanchoe blossfeldiana I was wondering about pruning. It is my first plant and thought it would be nice to try to keep alive and as a decoration. I looked on other sights and there is not much info out there. I just need to know how to prune, if I should and when to do so?

  • Karen

    I rooted a stem cutting and potted it in soil. It grew well for a while, but now most of the lower leaves are wilting. Could it be because of the summer heat or do you think it’s water logged? Also, do Kalanchoes do well in coastal areas?

    Hi Karen
    Kalanchoe is a succulent plant that tolerates dry conditions. They tolerate heat but do not like to be water logged. They should be fine in your area as long as you provide well drained soil.

  • GEM

    Hi I received a Kalanchoe as a bday gift from my dad last year. It was very beautiful for several months and eventually lost its bloom. The leave remained thick and green until recently when I noticed that the stems began to appear black. Its not the whole stem but sections. Yet the sections above and below the blackened stem appear very green and healthy. I don’t know if this means that its rotting and I need to cut and treat it. I need advice in order to keep this plant alive. HELP please.

    Hi GEM
    If the blackened areas are firm and the stems are healthy – not breaking off, then it may just be some darkening from sun.

  • Sharon

    I have a Kalanchoe on my window sill. I’ve had it some months now and the flowers have been plentiful. I haven’t been removing the faded flowers regularly and at present there are a lot of dried flowers which I’ve just removed. There’s plenty new leaf growth on the plant. I didn’t want to overwater but the latest flowers don’t seem to have got off to a good start as they seem to have become dry very quickly. My Kalanchoe is looking quite bare of flowers but I don’t think it’s stopped flowering yet. What can I do?

    HI Sharon
    Usually, Kalanchoe will have a large flush of flowers and then trickle in with additional blooms. It sounds as if it is done blooming for the season.

  • Vycci Bagner

    I was given a kalanchoe that has “white” stuff all over the leaves and stock. I have wiped it off several times but it keeps coming back. Also a couple fo the leaves are turning yellow then brown at the ends and curling up. It is also starting to get “gangly” looking. Need to find out what to do to help this plant.

    Hi Vycci
    It sounds like your Kalanchoe has powdery mildew. Give the plant more air circulation and treat with baking soda formula.

  • Diana

    Hi! I received my Kalanchoe as a mother’s day present from my husband and the plant still have few flowers on July. How should I take care of it if I have it as an outdoor plant and I live in El Centro, CA where during summer the temperature rises to 110 degrees in average? Thanks in advance for your help.

    Hi Diana
    It sounds like you are doing a great job taking care of it right now. If you set it outdoors, a slightly shaded area will help keep the plant cooler. It will stop blooming eventually and then you can grow it as a green plant.

  • Hi, I just bought a Kalanchoe about a month ago, the flowers were beautiful, but they stop blooming, now I keep it as a green plant in the kitchen by the window where it can get some light from the sun. I live in San Luis, Az. and the temperature gets pretty high here, average of 110 to 115 degrees. I’m afraid to leave it outside because of the heat. The leaves are starting to die and they look saggy, I guess I overwatered the plant, what can I do now. Thank you for your time.

    Hi Noel
    Let the plant dry out for now. Make sure you water less indoors. They grow better if on the dry side. Put it outside when the weather cools and leave it there until you get a freeze.

    • Elena

      Hi, I can give an advice on how to make a Kalanchoe to rebloom. It’s easier to do than you think. After blooming let the plant rest for a month or two watering it as usual only when the soil gets dry. Then there should be the period of “sleep” for the plant. So you need to put the plant in very “hard” conditions which means the following: put it in a very dark place without any light and stop watering it just at all. (I put mine in the bathroom without windows) The harder condiotions for the plant are the better. This period should last for about a month. Don’t worry, the plant shouldn’t die providing it was healthy before being put in this “prison”. After about a month you can check on the plant to see if it has got the flower stems on it. If it has got them, you can take it out to the sun light and care about it as usual – water and fertalize it regularly. I did this with my plant and it was sucessful, the plant was blooming for several months. I wish you all good luck and nice blooming of your Kalanchoes!

      Thanks for you input! I’m sure it will be helpful to all.

  • Maria

    Hi,

    Thanks for this post! I am kinda worried because most (though not all) of my kalanchoe flowers have started wilting and have stopped blooming. The leaves are in great condition. I am in Irvine, southern California and I keep the potted plant ouside in the shade and water it twice a week, making sure it drains well. However, I haven’t fertilized it in the 6 weeks since I bought it.
    Has it done blooming naturally or am I doing something wrong? Also, how should I prune the flowers?

    Hi Maria
    Your Kalanchoe may be done blooming for the season. They don’t require much fertilizer but a light dose would keep the foliage growing nicely. Not too much as we are going into winter season and the plant will grow at a slower rate. Once the flowers start to turn brown, you can pinch or cut them off (up to the leaves).

  • Donna

    Hi. I have had my kalanchoe plant for almost a year. I keep it on my desk at work. There has been a lot of growth but some of the stems are curvy – dip down and come back up. Is this due to needing more light?

    Hi Donna
    It does sound like they need more light. Less light will produce a leggy plant. You can take cutting from the leggy stems and make new plants.

  • Save money on plants tip
    Greetings and salutations,
    I love plants, but have a low plant budget. Sooo, anyone like me, might could use this tip of the day.
    At many grocery stores there’s a plant section. Look or ask where are the marked down plants are located, usually hidden.
    Most plants have just lost their selling power. Others have problems. That’s when I use this website.
    I buy $4.99 to $20.00 plants marked down to $.99 to $4.99. Most are usually Kalanchoe at the end of summer. Some others are: mini-tea rose, and gerbera daisy, gloxina, cyclamen…… Good luck, Celeste

    Thanks Celeste,
    In these times it helps to be a thrifty gardener.

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