Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe spp., Mother of Thousands, Paddle Plant, Widows-Thrill

Kalanchoe is a genus of flowering succulent plants native primarily to Madagascar and tropical Africa. The genus is diverse, ranging from small, leafy plants grown for their long-lasting flower clusters (K. blossfeldiana) to large, striking foliage plants (K. thyrsiflora). All Kalanchoes feature thick, waxy, water-storing leaves and are excellent indoor plants due to their drought tolerance. The most common houseplant is the Florist Kalanchoe, sold for its winter and spring blooms.

Care Guide

LIGHT

  • Requires bright light, including direct sun, to maintain compact form and encourage blooming.
  • Place in a South or West-facing window.
  • Flowering varieties need 12-14 hours of darkness daily for 6 weeks in the fall/winter to set buds for spring flowering.

WATER

  • As a succulent, it is drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
  • When watering, water thoroughly, avoiding getting water on the leaves.
  • Overwatering causes stem rot and mushy, yellowing leaves.
  • Reduce watering significantly after the blooming period and during the winter.

SOIL

  • Needs an extremely fast-draining, porous, and gritty soil mix.
  • Use a mix formulated for cacti and succulents, with a high percentage of perlite or coarse sand.
  • Avoid heavy, moisture-retaining soils.

GROWTH HABIT

  • Ideal conditions: Full sun, warm temperatures (65-80F), and low humidity.
  • Growth rate & size: Growth rate is moderate. Size varies drastically from small, bushy Florist Kalanchoes (1 foot tall) to tall, imposing foliage plants (several feet tall).

PROPAGATING

  • Propagates easily from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings.
  • Mother of Thousands (K. daigremontiana) produces tiny, easily detached plantlets along the leaf margins, which root instantly when placed on soil.
  • Allow cut ends to callus for a few days before planting.

PRUNING

  • Pruning is essential for shaping and encouraging reblooming.
  • Deadhead the entire flower stalk after the blooms fade to encourage new growth.
  • Pinch the tips of the stems to encourage a bushier, more compact habit.

REPOTTING

  • Repot when the plant is root-bound, typically every 2-3 years.
  • Repot in spring or early summer using a pot only slightly larger than the previous one.
  • Repotting is a good time to divide large, clumping plants.

FERTILIZING

  • Feed lightly during the spring and summer growing season (monthly).
  • Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
  • Flowering varieties benefit from a phosphorus-rich fertilizer before and during the bloom period.

FLOWERING

  • Florist Kalanchoe produces dense clusters of small, four-petaled flowers in red, pink, orange, or yellow.
  • Requires a short day period (long, uninterrupted darkness) in fall/winter to initiate blooms.
  • Blooms are typically long-lasting.

TOXICITY

  • Toxic to cats and dogs. Kalanchoes contain cardiac glycosides which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and, in rare severe cases, heart rhythm problems.

PRO TIPS

  • To maintain vibrant colors in the leaves (reds, yellows), ensure the plant is receiving direct sunlight.
  • Cold temperatures (below 50F) can damage or kill the plant.
  • The soil must be allowed to dry out completely between waterings to prevent fatal rot.

Variants in Care

Flowering Kalanchoes

Examples: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Florist Kalanchoe)

  • Requires strict short-day/long-night treatment (12-14 hours of darkness daily for 6 weeks) in the fall to rebloom successfully.
  • Should be watered less frequently during the short-day period.
  • Fertilize with a high-phosphorus fertilizer to support flower development.

Foliage/Large-Leaved Kalanchoes

Examples: Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant), Kalanchoe luciae

  • Grown for their large, often colorful, flat leaves that stack up a central stem.
  • Need the most intense direct sunlight to develop the red or pink tint on the leaf margins.
  • Are more drought-tolerant than the flowering types due to their large water-storing leaves.

Mother of Thousands/Air Plants

Examples: Kalanchoe daigremontiana, Kalanchoe delagoensis

  • Incredibly prolific with plantlets and can become weedy; remove plantlets from the soil to prevent overgrowth.
  • Are highly resilient and can handle more neglect than other types.
  • Are highly toxic and should be kept away from pets.

Bloom Information

Post-Bloom Care and Pruning

Pruning after the flowering cycle is finished helps maintain a compact shape and prepares the plant for future buds.

  • Trim away the spent flower stalks down to the first or second set of leaves to keep the plant tidy and prevent it from becoming leggy.
  • Remove any dead or drying leaves at the base of the plant to improve airflow and reduce the risk of fungal issues.
  • Use clean, sharp bypass pruners to ensure the succulent stems are not crushed during the process.

Primary Reblooming Triggers

Light and Darkness Cycles

  • Kalanchoes are short-day plants, meaning they require a specific period of "long nights" to trigger a new round of flower buds.
  • To force a rebloom, provide the plant with 14 hours of total, uninterrupted darkness every night for about six to eight weeks.
  • During the day, provide bright, indirect sunlight. If the plant receives even a small amount of light during its dark period, the blooming process may be reset.

Temperature and Environment

  • Keep the plant in a room with temperatures between 60–75°F. They are sensitive to cold and should be kept away from drafty windows during the winter induction period.
  • Avoid high humidity levels, as Kalanchoes are succulents and can be prone to powdery mildew if the air is too stagnant.

Variants in Care: Blooming Specifics

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)

  • This is the most common variant; it responds most reliably to the six-week dark-period treatment to initiate flower clusters.
  • Ensure it receives very bright light during its "daytime" hours to produce the vibrant pigments in its flowers.

Kalanchoe Manginii (Bells)

  • This variant produces pendant, bell-shaped flowers rather than upright clusters.
  • It often requires slightly cooler temperatures during its dark period to successfully set its unique hanging buds.

Nutritional and Maintenance Needs

  • Apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer or a bloom-booster formula once a month during the active growing season in spring and summer.
  • Do not fertilize the plant while it is in its dark-period rest or while it is actively flowering.
  • If the plant becomes too tall and sparse, you can take stem cuttings to start new, more compact plants, as Kalanchoes propagate very easily from foliage.
  • Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust, ensuring the leaves dry quickly to avoid rot.

Plants for Sale

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