Kalanchoe — just the name alone go unequaled , right ? These little beauties are some of the most resilient and vivacious flowering plants you may have in your family or garden .
They ’re colourful , sluttish to maintain , and adaptable , make them a plant lover ’s dream . Plus , who would n’t desire a plant that blooms in bright colors and asks for minimal fuss ?
I ’ve always been drawn to plant that not only bestow warmheartedness and texture to a space but are also pragmatic for in use lifestyles . And Kalanchoe is just that !
These charming succulent are low maintenance , forgiving , and , yes , they ’ll make you look like you have a green thumb , even if you ’re still instruct the ropes .
So , let ’s fag into how to grow and handle for Kalanchoe . Whether you want to fetch it indoors for that thoroughgoing tabletop accent or let it brighten up your garden , this guide has you covered .
Why Choose Kalanchoe?
Before we skip into the care details , let ’s babble out about why Kalanchoe should be at the top of your plant list .
Vibrant Blooms : Kalanchoe flowers in bright shades of pink , red , orangish , yellow , and snowy . These blooms can last for calendar month , giving your infinite a splash of color all year around .
Low Maintenance : If you ’re busy juggling aliveness and ca n’t commit hours to plant concern , Kalanchoe is your works . It flourish with minimum tending , making it idealistic for beginners and experienced gardeners alike .
Air - Purifying Qualities : Like many succulents , Kalanchoe facilitate make pure the melodic phrase , creating a freshman , more inviting space in your home .
Drought - Tolerant : These plants salt away water in their thick leaves , meaning they can survive with less frequent lacrimation — pure for those of us who occasionally leave about flora care !
Now that you ’re sold on bringing one ( or a few ! ) into your home , let ’s face at how you may ensure they flourish .
Finding the Right Spot
One of the first thing you ’ll need to do is choose the thoroughgoing daub for your Kalanchoe . These plant make out sunlight , but too much direct sunlight can be a bit much , specially if your plant is indoors .
Indoors : Place your Kalanchoe in a bright pip , like a windowsill where it can get mickle of indirect sunlight . Avoid lay it too penny-pinching to window that get stiff afternoon sunlight — this can cause the leaves to singe .
Outdoors : If you ’re planting Kalanchoe in your garden , choose a berth that gets some break of day sunlight but is shaded during the hottest part of the day . This will prevent sunburn and keep your plant calculate vibrant .
Kalanchoe can adapt well to different surroundings , but they do comfortably with a residue of light . A little morning sun followed by shade in the afternoon is a winning combination .
Soil Matters
Kalanchoe is a succulent , mean it thrives in well - draining grime . If you ’re planting in a pot , make certain it has drainage cakehole . The last matter you desire is for water system to sit in the bottom of the passel , leading to root rot .
Potting Mix : A cactus or succulent potting mixture works neat for Kalanchoe . If you do n’t have any on hand , you may make your own by mixing regular pot soil with some sand or perlite to improve drainage .
Outdoor Soil : If you ’re embed alfresco , ensure the soil is sluttish and arenaceous . Kalanchoe does n’t do well in hard , stiff - like soil that sustain onto water . you may amend garden soil with grit or gravel to increase drainage .
Pro tip : If your Kalanchoe is pot , adding a bed of pebble or small-scale rock at the bottom of the peck will help with drainage and keep your plant happy .
Watering: Less Is More
One of the biggest mistakes people make with succulents like Kalanchoe is overwatering . Remember , these plants are drought - tolerant and do n’t need unceasing wet .
Indoor Plants : Water your indoor Kalanchoe when the top inch of soil feels juiceless to the touch sensation . Be sure to water thoroughly , countenance superfluous water to debilitate out of the bottom . Avoid letting the works ride in piddle , as this can lead to root rot .
Outdoor flora : Outdoor Kalanchoe will need less frequent lachrymation , specially if you live in a humid area . Let the soil dry out out completely between waterings , and line up based on the weather — more frequent watering may be take in red-hot , ironical climates .
In cosmopolitan , it ’s better to err on the side of underwatering . Kalanchoe can handle teetotal spells much better than soggy stain .
The Right Temperature and Humidity
Kalanchoe bang warmth and teetotal breeze , which is why it does so well indoors or in arid mood . Ideally , keep your plant in temperature between 60 ° F and 85 ° F ( 15 ° C to 29 ° C ) .
These plants are sensitive to freeze , so if you dwell in a cooler climate , make certain to bring them inside during the cold months .
As for humidity , you do n’t postulate to worry too much . Kalanchoe prosper in average elbow room humidness , so there ’s no need to mist your plant or place it in a bathroom where moisture horizontal surface are in high spirits .
In fact , too much humidity can have fungous issues or moulder , so dry air is actually better for these plants .
Fertilizing Your Kalanchoe
While Kalanchoe does n’t need unceasing eating , giving it a little encouragement during the growing season ( spring and summer ) will aid keep it goodly and encourage more vivacious blooms .
Indoor Plants : A balanced , water - soluble fertilizer work well for Kalanchoe . fertilise it once a month during the growing season and stop during the tumble and winter months when the plant is resting .
Outdoor plant : For outdoor Kalanchoe , you’re able to use a slow - passing fertilizer in the spring to help it through the growing season . Again , be thrifty not to over - fertilize , as too much can cause long-shanked growth and fewer flowers .
Pro tip : Dilute the fertilizer to half forcefulness to avoid overwhelming the plant .
Pruning and Maintenance
Kalanchoe is relatively low - maintenance when it come to pruning , but a little aid will go a long way in keeping your flora looking tidy and hefty .
Deadheading : As the flowers start to disappearance , go onwards and snip off them off . This will encourage the plant to rivet its energy on farm newfangled bloom rather than keep the old ones alive .
Leggy Growth : If your Kalanchoe set about to grow leggy ( long , thin stanch with thin leafage ) , it ’s in all probability not get enough sunshine . Prune back the longsighted stems to encourage bushier growth and move the industrial plant to a cheery spot .
Regular pruning is n’t necessary , but a trivial passementerie here and there will keep your Kalanchoe looking its ripe .
Repotting Your Kalanchoe
Over fourth dimension , your Kalanchoe will outgrow its pot , and it will postulate to be repot to proceed thrive . The best time to do this is during the fountain when the plant is entering its growing season .
Choose a Pot : Select a pot that is one sizing larger than the current one , and check that it has drainage mess .
sweet stain : Gently remove the plant from its old sight , shake off superfluous soil from the roots , and place it into fresh , well - draining soil in the unexampled pot .
Repotting every two to three years will keep your Kalanchoe healthy and give it elbow room to grow .
Common Pests and Problems
Kalanchoe is a tough industrial plant , but it ’s not completely immune to pestis or return . The most common problems you might encounter are :
Aphids and Mealybugs : These little pests can occasionally make a dwelling house on your plant . If you notice any , murder them by wiping the plant down with a damp material or cover it with insecticidal easy lay .
yellow Leaves : This is often a sign of overwatering . Check the soil and make certain it ’s drying out between lacrimation .
Mold or decomposition : If you point out mold or a decompose tone , it ’s likely due to overwatering or poor drainage . slay any affected parts of the plant life and adjust your lachrymation habits .
Encouraging Your Kalanchoe to Bloom Again
One of the fantastic things about Kalanchoe is its long - lasting bloom . But what happens when the flowers fade ? The good news is you could encourage your Kalanchoe to flower again with a little extra care .
visible radiation : Once the initial flush have faded , give your plant plenty of brilliant , indirect light . The more sunlight it get , the more likely it will bloom again .
Dark Period : To trigger a Modern bloom cycle , decoct the works ’s photo to light for about 12 - 14 hour each day for 6 weeks . This feign the short days of winter and encourages the plant to typeset bud .
solitaire : After this sleep period , increase the flora ’s exposure to spark , and with a little patience , you ’ll see new blooms starting to form .
Bringing a Kalanchoe into your home or garden is like inviting a little pop of joy into your life . Their bright , upbeat bloom and easy - going nature make them an first-class choice for anyone looking to add ravisher and warmth to their outer space .
