Kalanchoe Plant: Overview

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a compact succulent plant with thick, fleshy lobed leaves and clusters of flowers. The flowers can be white, yellow, pink, or bright red and last several weeks. 

Native to southern and south-east Africa, Asia, and Madagascar, Kalanchoe plants can grow outdoors in hardiness zones 10-11. These long-blooming, low-maintenance plants belong to the Crassulaceae family, making them related to Echeveria, some Sedum varieties, and the Jade Plant. The Kalanchoe plant loves bright, indirect sunlight and doesn’t need a lot of water, making it one of the easiest flowering plants to grow at home. The flowering Kalanchoe is toxic to cats and dogs, so they’re best suited to plant lovers who don’t have pets. 

Kalanchoes are a popular plant gift for the Chinese New Year as their abundant blooms and bright colors symbolize prosperity and good fortune.

Kalanchoe: Benefits

• Purifies indoor air from air pollutants
• Symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture
• Produces beautiful and long-lasting blooms
• Great bedroom plant because of its air-improving properties
• Boasts anti-viral, anti-septic, and anti-microbial medical properties

Kalanchoe: Alternative Names

• Christmas Kalanchoe
• Flaming Katy
• Madagascar Widow's Thrill
• Florist Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe Care Guide

Kalanchoe plant care is easy, as this plant doesn’t require a lot of upkeep. Still, knowing the following Kalanchoe care tips will help you keep your plant looking its best and blooming often:

Watering and Humidity

These lovely succulents are drought-tolerant and don’t require frequent watering. Make sure that the soil dries out between waterings to prevent root rot. The Kalanchoe succulent doesn’t require additional humidity.

Light and Temperature

Bright, filtered sunlight is best for Kalanchoes. Avoid keeping them in direct sunlight because it can burn their leaves. Low-light conditions can stop your plants from flowering. Another thing to remember is that the Kalanchoes are tropical plants, which don’t react well to cold. Avoid placing them in cold drafts or places with constantly fluctuating temperatures. The ideal temperatures for Kalanchoe are between 60°F and 85°F.

Soil, Repotting, and Fertilizing

Some of the Kalanchoe benefits are that it grows well in any well-draining soil. Use a succulent and cacti soil mix for best results. Repot when the plant gets large for its pot, approximately once every 3 years. Always use a pot with drainage holes. Fertilize your plant twice a month during the growing season with a special succulent-cacti fertilizer to promote blooming. 

Propagation

Kalanchoe plants can be propagated from cuttings. When the Kalanchoe isn’t blooming, take several cuttings about 3 inches long. Leave them to dry overnight to form a protective layer, which prevents the cuttings from rotting or developing diseases. Then, tip each cutting in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil. Place a transparent plastic bag over the cuttings to promote humidity. Remember to place the cuttings in bright, indirect light.  

Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues

Prune the tips of your succulent Kalanchoe at the end of each growing season to prevent your plant from getting leggy. Also, remove any dead blossoms to encourage new flowers. Clean your plant by removing dried or yellow leaves and keep the soil clean. Generally, Kalanchoe plants are hardy and aren’t prone to diseases and pest issues. Still, it’s important to check your plant's leaves occasionally. Leaf drop can occur, due to cold temperatures or insufficient light. Limp and yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering, while crisp, dry leaves could show that your plant is thirsty.  

Kalanchoe Succulent: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants

With its bright flowers and cheerful look, your Kalanchoe plant will add color and fun to your living space. You can grow this small plant indoors and outdoors in warmer climates.  

Best Locations & Uses

• Great office plant because of its compact size, mood-lifting colors, and easy upkeep
• Wonderful good luck gift for friends and family
• Perfect low-maintenance plant for plant lovers with no pets
• Suitable as a porch plant for dry, warmer climates
• An ideal plant for novice gardeners due to its easy-care needs

Companion Plants

Group your Kalanchoe with other sun-loving indoor plants for a gorgeous plant display:

• San Diego Stud Zygocactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): Best known for its gorgeous blossoms, the San Diego Stud Zygocactus is a sun-loving succulent that blooms profusely in bright colors.
• Philodendron Pink Princess (Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'): With its elongated leaves splashed in bubblegum pink, the sun-loving Philodendron Pink Princess is an ideal companion for your bright Kalanchoe, especially if it happens to be pink.
• Aralia Fabian Stump (Polyscias scutellaria): The striking Aralia Fabian is a stumpy indoor shrub with delightfully round leaves that are green with a maroon underside.

Alternative Plants

Because of its toxicity to pets, you might want to find pet-friendly plants as alternatives to the colorful Kalanchoe if you’re a pet owner. Here are some suggestions:

• Vriesea Bromeliad (Vriesea splendens): With its striped leaves and flaming red sword-like flower, the Vriesea Bromeliad is a beautiful and pet-safe addition to your interior, blooming for months.
• Pink Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya): The unusual, pet-friendly Pink Polka Dot Plant adds color to your green space because of the bright pink spots on its leaves, creating an attractive contrast if paired with deep-green foliage plants
• Purple Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.): Orchids are valued for their elegance and long-lasting blooms, and the splendid Purple Moth Orchid is no exception; it will bloom for months and add a touch of unique beauty to your home.

Get Blooming Kalanchoe Plant for Sale From Lively Root Today

Make your living space shine with a bright Kalanchoe plant for sale from Lively Root!