How to Care for a Kalanchoe Plant: A Comprehensive Guide

Kalanchoes are vibrant, low-maintenance succulents that bring a splash of color to any indoor or outdoor space. Belonging to the Crassulaceae family and often referred to as flaming Katy, florist kalanchoe, or Christmas kalanchoe, the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a popular choice for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts. Known for their bright, long-lasting blooms and fleshy foliage, these plants are relatively easy to care for, making them a delightful addition to your home or garden. Understanding the basic needs of your kalanchoe is key to ensuring its health and encouraging those beautiful, repeated flower displays. This guide will provide you with all the essential information on How Do I Care For A Kalanchoe Plant to ensure it thrives and brightens your environment.

Common Name	Kalanchoe, flaming Katy, florist kalanchoe, Christmas kalanchoe
Botanical Name	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Family	Crassulaceae
Plant Type	Perennial, succulent
Mature Size	6–18 in. tall and wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun, partial shade
Soil type	Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral, slightly alkaline
Bloom Time	Seasonal bloomer
Flower Color	Yellow, red, orange, salmon, pink, white
Hardiness Zones	10–12 (USDA)
Native Area	Africa (Madagascar)
Toxicity	Toxic to pets

Essential Kalanchoe Care Tips

Caring for a kalanchoe plant is straightforward when you provide the right conditions. The core elements for successful kalanchoe care revolve around light, soil, watering, and fertilization. By understanding and meeting these needs, you can enjoy a healthy and floriferous kalanchoe.

Optimal Soil Mix: Plant your kalanchoe in a loose, well-draining medium. A cactus mix or succulent-specific soil is ideal. These mixes are typically sandy or loamy, preventing water retention and promoting healthy roots.
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light is best for indoor kalanchoes. If placing your kalanchoe outdoors, opt for a location with full sun but with some protection from harsh afternoon rays, especially in hotter climates.
Watering Needs: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Kalanchoes are succulents and store water in their leaves, making them drought-tolerant. Overwatering is a common mistake and can lead to root rot.
Fertilization: For indoor kalanchoes, apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the active growing season (spring and summer). Reduce or eliminate fertilization during the fall and winter dormancy.

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A close-up view showcases the vibrant and clustered blossoms of a kalanchoe plant, highlighting the delicate texture and bright color of the petals.

Light Requirements for Healthy Kalanchoe

Light is a crucial factor in kalanchoe care. These plants thrive in bright conditions, but the intensity of light can vary depending on whether they are grown indoors or outdoors.

Indoor Light: When grown indoors, kalanchoes need bright, indirect light to flourish. A location near an east or west-facing window is generally ideal, providing ample light without direct, scorching sun. South-facing windows can also work, but you may need to diffuse the light with a sheer curtain, especially during the hottest parts of the day, to prevent leaf burn. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth, where stems stretch and become weak as the plant reaches for more light, and reduced or absent flowering.

Outdoor Light: Outdoors, kalanchoes can tolerate more direct sunlight, but they still benefit from some protection, especially from the intense afternoon sun. Partial shade to full sun is recommended. In hotter climates, providing afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch. Morning sun is generally beneficial as it is less intense. If you notice your outdoor kalanchoe stems becoming elongated and weak, it’s an indication that the plant might not be receiving enough light.

Choosing the Right Soil for Your Kalanchoe

The right soil is essential for healthy kalanchoe growth. These succulents need well-draining soil to prevent root rot and ensure proper aeration.

Outdoor Soil: For outdoor kalanchoes, well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil is best. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter and perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. Good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to kalanchoe roots.

Indoor Soil: Indoor kalanchoes thrive in a porous, well-draining potting mix. A mix specifically formulated for cacti and succulents is highly recommended. Alternatively, you can create your own mix by combining equal parts of potting soil and perlite or coarse sand. Some gardeners also use a blend of 60% potting soil and 40% perlite for enhanced drainage.

Potting Material: To further enhance drainage, consider planting your kalanchoe in a clay pot. Terracotta pots are particularly beneficial as they are porous and help wick away excess moisture from the soil, reducing the risk of overwatering and root rot. Ensure that any pot you choose has drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape.

Watering Kalanchoe Properly

Watering correctly is critical in kalanchoe care. As succulents, they are adapted to drier conditions and are more susceptible to problems from overwatering than underwatering.

Watering Frequency: Kalanchoes prefer to dry out completely between waterings. Water thoroughly only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. During the active growing season (spring and summer), this might be every couple of weeks, but always check the soil moisture before watering. In the winter months, when the plant’s growth slows down, reduce watering frequency even further, potentially to once a month or even less, depending on your environment.

Avoiding Overwatering: Overwatering is the most common mistake in kalanchoe care and can lead to root rot, a fatal condition for these plants. Ensure your pot has good drainage and avoid letting the plant sit in standing water. When you water, water deeply until water drains from the drainage holes, then allow the excess water to drain away completely. Never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.

Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering:

Overwatering: Signs of overwatering include soft, mushy stems and leaves, yellowing leaves (especially lower leaves), and potentially a moldy or unpleasant smell from the soil.
Underwatering: Signs of underwatering include shriveled or wrinkled leaves, dry and crumbly soil, and stunted growth.

Temperature and Humidity Needs

Kalanchoes are not overly demanding when it comes to temperature and humidity, making them well-suited for typical household environments.

Temperature Range: The ideal temperature range for kalanchoe is between 55°F and 80°F (13°C and 27°C). They thrive in average room temperatures. Protect them from frost as they are not cold-hardy. Temperatures consistently below 50°F (10°C) can be harmful.

Humidity: Kalanchoes are not particularly sensitive to humidity levels. They tolerate normal household humidity well and do not require misting or other humidity-enhancing measures. This makes them an excellent choice for indoor growing in most homes.

Outdoor Considerations: As outdoor plants, kalanchoes are only hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. In these zones, they can remain outdoors year-round. In colder regions, they are best grown in containers that can be moved indoors during the winter months. If temperatures are expected to drop below 55°F (13°C), it’s time to bring your kalanchoe indoors.

Fertilizing Your Kalanchoe

While kalanchoes are not heavy feeders, they do benefit from regular fertilization, especially during their active growth and blooming periods.

Fertilizer Type: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 diluted to half strength) for indoor kalanchoes. You can also use a fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents or flowering plants. For encouraging blooms, a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio) can be beneficial.

Fertilization Schedule:

Indoor Plants: Fertilize monthly during the spring and summer months, which is their active growing season. Do not fertilize during the fall and winter months when the plant is in a period of slower growth or dormancy.
Outdoor Plants: Garden-grown kalanchoes typically only need a single light feeding in the spring.

Signs of Over-fertilization: Over-fertilizing can harm your kalanchoe. Signs of over-fertilization include white crusts on the soil surface, fertilizer salt buildup, leaf tip burn (brown and crispy leaf tips), and stunted growth. If you suspect over-fertilization, flush the soil thoroughly with water to remove excess salts.

Kalanchoe Growth Rate and Size

Kalanchoes are generally slow-growing succulents. It typically takes between two and five years for them to reach their mature size, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions.

Mature Size: The mature size of a kalanchoe varies depending on the species. The popular ‘Flaming Katy’ ( Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) usually reaches about 12 inches in height at maturity. Other varieties can grow much larger. For instance, Paddle plants (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) can reach over two feet tall, and Cathedral Bells (Kalanchoe pinnata) and Velvet-leaf Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe beharensis) can grow up to 5 or 6 feet tall indoors.

Factors Affecting Growth Rate: Kalanchoes grown outdoors in optimal conditions, with more sunlight and warmth, tend to grow slightly faster than indoor plants. Consistent care, including proper light, watering, and occasional fertilization, will encourage healthy growth.

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An illustrative guide provides a visual summary of kalanchoe care, highlighting key aspects such as light exposure, watering techniques, suitable soil, and temperature considerations for optimal plant health.

Exploring Different Types of Kalanchoe

The Kalanchoe genus is diverse, offering a variety of shapes, sizes, and flower colors. Here are some popular types of kalanchoe to consider:

Kalanchoe manginii: Known as the chandelier plant, this species features trailing stems and bell-shaped, pendant flowers, often in shades of orange or red. It prefers slightly more humid conditions compared to other kalanchoes to encourage flowering.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana: Commonly called “Mother of Thousands” or “Mother of Millions,” this variety is known for the tiny plantlets that develop along the edges of its leaves. These plantlets easily drop off and root, making it a prolific propagator.
Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx: Also known as pearl bells, this species features slender, rectangular leaves and unique purple, bell-shaped, pendant flowers.
Kalanchoe delagoensis: Another “Chandelier Plant” variety, this species has tubular orange flowers that hang downwards from the top of its stems, creating a distinctive floral display.
Kalanchoe beharensis: The Velvet-leaf Kalanchoe is prized for its large, velvety, silvery-green leaves. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and adds a unique textural element to succulent collections.
Kalanchoe luciae: Known as the Flapjack Plant or Paddle Plant, this popular houseplant has flat, rounded leaves that can develop red edges, especially in cooler winter temperatures and bright light.
Kalanchoe pinnata: Also called Cathedral Bells or Air Plant, this species features fleshy green leaves and produces plantlets along its leaf margins, similar to K. daigremontiana.
Kalanchoe tomentosa: The Panda Plant or Chocolate Soldier is loved for its fuzzy, thick leaves with a bluish-green tinge and brown spots along the edges, giving it a charming, textured appearance.

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A vibrant photograph showcases the classic beauty of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, with its clusters of bright pink flowers contrasting against the deep green foliage.

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A striking image captures the unique charm of Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx, highlighting its slender leaves and distinctive, bell-shaped purple flowers.

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The velvety texture of Kalanchoe beharensis leaves is beautifully depicted, showcasing the plant’s large, fuzzy, silvery-green foliage.

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A detailed shot of Kalanchoe pinnata, emphasizing its fleshy green leaves and the tiny plantlets forming along the leaf margins, illustrating its unique propagation method.

Pruning and Maintenance

Regular pruning helps maintain the shape of your kalanchoe, encourages bushier growth, and promotes more abundant blooming.

Pinching and Trimming: Pinching back the tips of the stems, especially during the growing season, encourages branching and a fuller plant. Remove any dead or faded flowers (deadheading) to keep the plant looking tidy and to redirect the plant’s energy into new growth and more blooms.

Timing: Pruning is particularly beneficial during the plant’s resting period in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This is a good time to shape the plant and remove any leggy or overgrown stems.

Common Pests and Issues

While generally robust, kalanchoes can occasionally encounter pests and problems, particularly if their basic care needs are not met.

Aphids: Aphids are a common pest that can affect kalanchoes, especially new growth. These small insects tend to cluster on young leaves and stems, sucking sap and weakening the plant. Regularly inspect your kalanchoe, especially the undersides of new leaves, for aphids. If you find aphids, you can often remove them with a strong spray of water from a hose or sink sprayer. For more severe infestations, insecticidal soap or neem oil can be used, following product instructions carefully.

Other Potential Issues: Overwatering is the most common cause of problems in kalanchoes, leading to root rot and stem rot. Ensure proper watering practices and well-draining soil to prevent these issues. Powdery mildew can sometimes occur, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Ensure good air circulation around your plants and avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.

Propagating Your Kalanchoe

Propagating kalanchoes is easy and a great way to expand your collection or share these cheerful plants with friends. Kalanchoes can be propagated through stem cuttings and offsets (small plantlets that grow from the mother plant, particularly in varieties like K. daigremontiana and K. pinnata).

Stem Cuttings:

Take a Cutting: Using a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears, cut a stem segment several inches long from a healthy, mature kalanchoe plant.
Callousing: Allow the cut end of the stem cutting to dry out and callous over for a few days. This helps prevent rot when planted.
Rooting Hormone (Optional): Dip the calloused end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder to encourage faster root development.
Planting: Plant the cutting in a pot filled with the same well-draining soil mix you use for mature kalanchoes.
Watering and Light: Place the newly planted cutting in a location with bright, indirect light. Initially, avoid watering immediately. Allow the soil to be slightly moist but not waterlogged. Once roots have begun to form (usually within a month), you can start watering more regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings as you would for a mature plant.

Propagating Offsets:

Remove Offsets: Gently remove offsets (small plantlets) from the mother plant. For varieties like K. daigremontiana, these small plantlets often readily detach. You can also carefully pluck them off.
Callousing (Optional): While not always necessary for offsets, allowing the base of the offset to callous for a day or two can be beneficial.
Planting: Plant the offsets directly into small pots filled with well-draining succulent soil.
Watering and Light: Place the newly planted offsets in bright, indirect light and water sparingly at first, increasing watering as they establish roots and begin to grow.

Potting and Repotting Kalanchoe

Repotting is an essential part of kalanchoe care, providing fresh nutrients and space for growth.

Repotting Frequency: Kalanchoes benefit from repotting approximately once a year, ideally in the spring or early summer, at the start of their active growing season. Repotting allows you to refresh the soil and give the plant more room to grow.

Signs Repotting is Needed: Signs that your kalanchoe needs repotting include roots growing out of the drainage holes, slow growth, the plant becoming top-heavy, or if the soil is compacted and drains poorly.

Choosing a Pot: Select a pot that is about 1 inch larger in diameter than the current pot. Ensure the pot has drainage holes. Terracotta pots are excellent choices for kalanchoes due to their porosity, which helps with drainage.

Repotting Process:

Prepare Pot and Soil: Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining succulent or cactus mix.
Remove Plant: Gently remove the kalanchoe from its current pot. You may need to loosen the soil around the edges of the pot.
Inspect Roots: Inspect the roots and gently loosen any tightly circling roots. Remove any dead or rotting roots.
Planting: Place the kalanchoe in the center of the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in around the roots with fresh soil, gently firming it as you go.
Watering: Water lightly after repotting to help settle the soil. Avoid overwatering, especially immediately after repotting.

If the plant’s root system is not pot-bound and there is still ample room in the current pot, you can opt to simply refresh the top layer of soil instead of fully repotting.

Overwintering Kalanchoe

Proper overwintering care ensures your kalanchoe survives the colder months and is ready to bloom again in the spring.

Bringing Plants Indoors: In regions outside of USDA hardiness zones 10-12, kalanchoes need to be brought indoors before temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C). Typically, this is in late summer or early fall.

Winter Light: Place your indoor kalanchoe in a location that receives bright, indirect light during the winter months, such as a south or west-facing window. If natural light is insufficient, consider using a grow light to supplement.

Winter Watering: Reduce watering significantly during the winter. Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings. Kalanchoes enter a period of semi-dormancy in winter and require less water. Overwatering is a greater risk during the colder, darker months.

Outdoor Overwintering (Zones 10-12): In USDA zones 10-12, kalanchoes can often remain outdoors during the winter. While foliage might experience some dieback during frost, the plant can often survive. However, in areas prone to frost, it’s best to protect them or bring them indoors if possible.

Moving Kalanchoe Outdoors in Spring/Summer: Once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 65°F (18°C), you can move your indoor kalanchoe back outdoors for the warmer months. Acclimate the plant gradually to outdoor conditions to prevent shock and leaf burn. Start by placing it in a shaded location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing its exposure to sunlight over a week or two. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.

Encouraging Kalanchoe to Bloom

Kalanchoes are prized for their vibrant and long-lasting blooms. To maximize flowering, understanding their light requirements and bloom cycle is essential.

Light and Darkness for Blooming: Kalanchoes are short-day plants, meaning they need long periods of darkness to initiate flower buds. To encourage blooming, ensure your kalanchoe receives at least 6-8 hours of bright light each day, followed by approximately 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for at least 6 weeks in the fall and winter. This period of darkness triggers the plant to set flower buds.

Controlling Light Exposure: To ensure proper darkness, you can place your kalanchoe in a room that receives no artificial light at night, or you can cover the plant with a box or place it in a closet each evening to ensure complete darkness. Consistency is key during this period.

Timing of Blooms: After about four months following this period of darkness, typically in spring, you should see your kalanchoe burst into bloom. Blooms can last for several weeks. With proper care and light manipulation, kalanchoes can potentially bloom more than once a year.

Deadheading Spent Flowers: Deadheading, or removing faded flowers, is important for encouraging continuous blooming and keeping your kalanchoe looking its best. Once flowers fade, trim them off to redirect the plant’s energy into producing new blooms.

Fertilizer for Blooming: If you are having difficulty getting your kalanchoe to bloom, using a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus can help promote bud formation.

Common Kalanchoe Problems and Solutions

Kalanchoes are generally easy to grow, but certain issues can arise, often related to watering, light, or temperature.

Soft, Damaged Blooms and Leaves: Exposure to near-freezing temperatures can damage kalanchoe leaves and blooms, leading to soft, discolored, or stunted growth. Maintain temperatures above 50°F (10°C) to prevent cold damage.

Wilting Leaves: Excessively high temperatures can cause kalanchoe leaves to wilt. Keep plants below 80°F (27°C) and provide some shade during very hot periods, especially for outdoor plants.

Drab or Burned Leaves: Improper light exposure can affect leaf color and health.

Drab Leaves: Insufficient light can cause kalanchoe leaves to lose their glossy green color and become dull. Increase light exposure by moving the plant to a brighter location.
Burned Leaves: Too much direct sunlight, especially intense afternoon sun, can cause leaf burn, resulting in scorched or bleached patches on the leaves. Provide bright, indirect light or afternoon shade to prevent leaf burn.

Soft, Fragile Stems: Soft, fragile stems are often a sign of overwatering or poorly draining soil. Excessive moisture can lead to root and stem rot. Withhold water and allow the soil to dry out completely. Ensure you are using a well-draining soil mix and pot.

Failure to Bloom: The most common reason for kalanchoe not blooming is insufficient darkness during the fall and winter months to trigger bud formation. Ensure the plant receives at least 14 hours of complete darkness daily for about six weeks to encourage blooming.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kalanchoe Care

How long can a kalanchoe live? With proper care, kalanchoes can live for many years, even decades. There are anecdotal accounts of kalanchoe plants living for a century or more when potted and well-maintained.
Is kalanchoe best grown as an indoor or outdoor plant? Kalanchoes are primarily grown as houseplants. However, in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, they can be grown outdoors year-round. In other zones, they can be moved outdoors during the spring and summer and brought indoors for the winter.
Do kalanchoe plants work well in mixed containers? Yes, kalanchoes can be incorporated into mixed succulent containers, pairing well with other succulents like aloe, jade plants, and sedums. They are also often planted alone in containers to showcase their blooms.
Do kalanchoe plants grow back every year? Yes, kalanchoes are perennial succulents and will grow back each year when properly cared for, whether grown indoors as houseplants or outdoors in suitable hardiness zones. They will also rebloom annually with correct care and light conditions.
Where should you put a kalanchoe plant for best growth? Place your kalanchoe in a location that provides bright, indirect light, such as near a south or west-facing window. This ensures they receive the light they need to thrive and bloom.
How many times a year does a kalanchoe bloom? Typically, kalanchoes bloom once a year, usually in late winter or early spring, with blooms lasting for several months. Outdoors, they might bloom more frequently. Indoors, you can encourage more frequent blooming by manipulating their light exposure to mimic their natural bloom cycle.

By following this comprehensive guide on how do I care for a kalanchoe plant, you can confidently nurture these beautiful succulents and enjoy their vibrant blooms year after year.