Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, or Flaming Katy, is a succulent herbaceous perennial prized for its extremely long-lasting, showy flowers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Kalanchoe, scientifically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, is a standout succulent cherished for its intensely colored, long-lasting floral display, making it a favorite houseplant globally. Native to Madagascar, this herbaceous perennial features thick, dark green, scallop-edged leaves that retain water efficiently. Gardeners highly value Kalanchoe blossfeldiana for its low maintenance needs and its ability to provide vibrant blooms that persevere for weeks, often during the darker winter months when few other plants are flowering.
This adaptable succulent thrives outdoors in frost-free climates spanning USDA Zones 10 through 12. When kept as an indoor specimen elsewhere, the Kalanchoe offers brilliant color near bright windows. Its compact, upright growth habit (reaching 0.5 to 1.5 feet in height and spread) makes it perfect for smaller spaces or mixed arrangements.
Successfully growing Kalanchoe relies predominantly on proper watering and maximizing light exposure. While they tolerate drought well once established, attention to soil drainage is paramount to prevent root issues. With minimal care, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana rewards the gardener with continuous visual interest.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Madagascar
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Scarlet, pink, salmon or yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For outdoor planting in zones 10 to 12, select a location receiving full sun to moderate shade. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana strongly prefers light, sandy, open, and well-drained soils. Plant these succulents on centers spaced 8 to 12 inches apart to allow sufficient room for them to develop their structure. Plants should be protected from frost, as they cannot survive freezing temperatures.
Watering schedule for the Kalanchoe should err on the side of dryness; water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out significantly between applications. Fertilizing requirements are minimal; provide only one light application of fertilizer annually. Gardeners actively growing or encouraging bloom should use a well-balanced feed or one higher in phosphorus to intensify flower production.
To promote bushier habits and better flowering, pinch back growing stems regularly. Be aware that Kalanchoe is easily toppled by strong winds due to its large, thick leaves, so protection from gusty areas is beneficial. Indoors, the Kalanchoe does best in full sun or bright indirect light and requires a very well-drained medium. Optimal flowering usually requires six weeks of exposure to short days (14-hour nights), with ideal temperatures hovering around 60°F overnight and 70°F during the day.
Landscape Uses
Container gardening showcases the vibrant blooms of the Kalanchoe perfectly, making them ideal for sunrooms, entryways, and bright windowsills. They transition beautifully to outdoor settings like patios or porches during warm seasons. Even in their perennial zones, their manageable size makes them excellent additions to mixed succulent arrangements or rock gardens where sharp drainage is guaranteed.
Consider pairing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana with other drought-tolerant perennials that share similar light requirements, such as various Sedums or Echeverias. The intense, saturated flower colors create excellent contrast against the muted greens and blues of classic desert companions. Their low height also makes them suitable for the front edge of an island bed or along a sunny pathway border where they won’t obscure lower-growing neighbors.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, commonly called kalanchoe, is a dark green, succulent perennial with scallop-edged leaves and large umbels of flower clusters held above the foliage. It has an upright, multi-branched growth habit. Their bloom time is incredibly long for a houseplant. These bright red, pink or yellow flower clusters last for weeks.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
The most common issues affecting Kalanchoe relate to improper watering; susceptibility to stem rot increases dramatically if the plant is over-watered, which is a significant concern given its succulent nature. Pests requiring vigilance include mealybugs, mites, and scale insects. Inspect plants regularly, especially leaf undersides and stem junctions, when using them as indoor plants.
Management of pests should involve immediate isolation and spot treatment using insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to carefully eliminate infestations. For humidity-loving pests like mites, increasing airflow around the plant can often aid in prevention. Ensuring the soil dries out thoroughly between waterings is the single most effective way to prevent fungal issues like stem rot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kalanchoe suitable for?
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 12 outdoors. In cooler regions, it must be brought inside before any threat of frost.
How large does Kalanchoe grow?
This plant typically matures to a height between 0.5 and 1.5 feet, with a similar spread of 0.5 to 1.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Kalanchoe need?
The Kalanchoe prefers full sun to part shade. When grown indoors, provide it with the brightest available light, such as a south-facing or west-facing windowsill.
When does Kalanchoe bloom?
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a seasonal bloomer, often noted for clusters of scarlet, pink, salmon, or yellow flowers that last for many weeks.
Conclusion
The low maintenance needs and exceptionally long bloom duration make Kalanchoe blossfeldiana a highly practical and rewarding succulent for both container gardening and warm-climate landscapes. This vibrant Kalanchoe continues to brighten interiors and gardens, providing reliable color. Before planting, always confirm your local hardiness zone compatibility or plan for its winter care indoors.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is straightforward, often occurring naturally as new plantlets develop along the leaf margins. These small offsets can be carefully removed when they reach a usable size and potted up individually into well-draining succulent mix. This method ensures the new plant retains the exact characteristics of the parent.
Stem cuttings are another reliable propagation technique, especially if you are pinching back plants to maintain shape. Take cuttings just below a leaf node and allow the cut end to callous over for a day or two before placing it in dry potting medium. Proper callousing is essential to prevent rot before roots form on the new Kalanchoe.
Container Growing
Growing Kalanchoe containers is ideal, especially for transient decoration or for protection in cooler areas. The key to success in pots is selecting a container with excellent drainage holes, as succulents abhor sitting in soggy soil. Use a commercial cactus or succulent potting mix, or amend standard potting soil heavily with perlite or coarse sand to increase aeration.
When container growing Kalanchoe, remember that pots dry out much faster than garden beds, so you may need to adjust your “water thoroughly, then let dry” schedule slightly. During active growth, feed using diluted houseplant fertilizer. Protecting these potted plants from gusty winds is easier than protecting in-ground specimens, as they are prone to tipping over due to their thick leaves.
