Description
Kalanchoe is a genus that includes more than 100 species of plants native to Madagascar. Kalanchoe plants are known for their succulent, oval-shaped, often scallop-edged green leaves. Some varieties develop red leaves or leaf edges with sufficient sunlight. The most common houseplant species is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, which blooms with clusters of tiny, colorful flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white.
Kalanchoe is a popular, easy-to-grow houseplant because it's drought tolerant and easy to grow. In tropical and subtropical climates, it can be grown outdoors as a perennial. In colder climates, it's typically grown as an indoor plant. Note that all parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs.
How to Grow Kalanchoe From Seed
These slow-growing plants are usually grown from cuttings, which produces faster results, but they are relatively easy to grow from seeds. Sow seeds on the surface of a porous potting mix in early spring; do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate. Put the container in a plastic bag to increase humidity until they germinate, which takes about 10 days. After about two months, you can transplant the seedlings into individual pots or plant them outdoors.
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 in 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.
How to care for Kalanchoe
Caring for kalanchoe is easy with a few basic tips and the right conditions. Here are the main growing requirements for kalanchoe.
Plant kalanchoe in sandy, well-drained potting medium like cactus mix or succulent soil.
Put this plant in a warm place with full sun or bright, indirect light.
Allow kalanchoe plants to dry out completely between waterings.
Fertilize indoor kalanchoes once per month during spring and summer.
Light
Kalanchoe plants grown indoors do best with bright, indirect light. Plant outdoor kalanchoes in full sun, ideally with some afternoon shade to protect the plant, to part sun. Leggy stems are a sign that the plant isn't getting enough light.
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. To ensure proper drainage and avoid an overly moist environment, you can plant your kalanchoe in a clay pot, which can help wick excess water from the soil.
Water
If you have a habit of occasionally forgetting to water your plants, a kalanchoe can be the perfect pick for you. This hearty plant does well with minimal water, requiring a complete saturation only every few weeks or so (and even less often during the winter months). Let the soil dry out completely in between waterings to help prevent root rot. Because the kalanchoe is a succulent, its leaves are actually capable of storing water; even if you're a few days late watering, the plant will be just fine.
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 fertilizer blend once a month during the spring and summer months, but not during the winter. If flowering is sparse, switch to a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus.
Growth Rate
Kalanchoes are generally slow-growing, on average taking between two and five years to reach mature size. One of the most common kalanchoes, 'Flaming Katy', reaches around 12 inches tall at maturity. Paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) can grow to more than two feet tall at maturity, while cathedral bells (Kalanchoe pinnata) and velvet-leaf kalanchoe (Kalanchoe beharensis)2 can grow up to five or six feet tall in cultivation.
Outdoor plants tend to grow more quickly because they're in brighter conditions. In colder climates, you can acclimate indoor kalanchoe plants to the outdoors once night temperatures are above 60 degrees to get them some extra sun. Bring them back inside when temperatures begin to dip in late summer or early fall.
See more HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR MOTHER OF MILLIONS SUCCULENTS
Click on the photo to see more information
 |
 |
 |
Follow me on: