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How to Grow Kalanchoes Grow in bright light indoors, and bright, filtered light or morning sun outdoors (summertime only). Plant kalanchoe in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Feed kalanchoe with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food.
Is kalanchoe an indoor or outdoor plant?
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.), one of the prettier flowering succulent houseplants, is hardy outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12. When grown indoors, they provide months of colorful blooms if properly tended.
Do kalanchoe plants need sun?
As an indoor plant in cooler climates, kalanchoe grows best in full sun or bright indirect light. This plant needs a very well-drained soil. Water thoroughly but let dry between watering. Fertilize actively growing plants with a well-balanced fertilizer or a formulation higher in phosphorus to promote better flowering.
Can I grow kalanchoe from cuttings?
Kalanchoe plants are fun to grow from cuttings. The vegetative stems produce the best plants and root quickest. Let the cutting sit out in a warm, dry location to form a callus on the end. Plant the cutting in pre-moistened peat and perlite up to the first leaf.
How do you keep kalanchoe blooming?
Tricking a Kalanchoe into Blooming Keep the plant warm and away from drafts. Do not water or feed the plant for 6 weeks, as it is dormant. As soon as you see flower buds, move the plant to brighter lighting and resume watering. Feed the plant in spring and remove spent flowers to encourage new buds.
How often should you water a kalanchoe?
The best rule of thumb for watering a kalanchoe is to stick your finger in the soil every few days. When the top 2 inches of soil is dry (all the way dry, not just sort of dry), it’s time to water. Indoors, this will probably mean you’ll only need to water every 2 or 3 weeks, but be sure to check regularly.
Why is kalanchoe called Widow’s thrill?
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana often goes by the shortened name of Kalanchoe or by its more common names of Widow’s-thrill and Flaming Katy, derived from its colorful and vibrant blooms.
Why does my kalanchoe not flower?
Natural Dormancy Kalanchoe plants can flower for a few months at a time, but it is natural for them to lose their flowers at some point because they need some rest to rebloom. Depending on the time of year and length of the days, they will go into this dormancy period.
Can kalanchoe grow in shade?
Kalanchoe is a beautiful plant with many flowering varieties. It will bloom heavily if kept in full sun or bright spot that receives a few hours of direct sunlight. Put it in a shady place, and it will entertain you with its fleshy dark green foliage.
What is the best fertilizer for kalanchoe?
kalanchoe are self-sufficient plants, but they do benefit from occasional fertilizing. You can use a well-balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20.
Can you grow kalanchoe from a leaf?
The ability of a new kalanchoe to grow from a leaf allows the plant to reproduce successfully without developing energy-consuming seed pods, in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.
Why do kalanchoe leaves turn yellow?
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is susceptible to zinc deficiency, which is made worse in soils with high phosphorous levels. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include yellowing of leaves in between veins as well as curling, wilting and leaf distortion.
How long do kalanchoe plants live?
Your kalanchoe will keep growing as long as you maintain enough nutrients and water to let it thrive. It’s not uncommon for these plants to last six or seven years, but they can get leggy in pots as they get older.
Should I cut back my kalanchoe?
Kalanchoes require some pruning to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the plant, and they should be pruned to encourage repeat blooming. Because kalanchoes multiply easily and quickly, especially in dry, frost-free locations, the most important reason to prune them may be to control their spread.
Do you water kalanchoe from top or bottom?
Kalanchoe like warm dry conditions between 60 and 75 degrees. Water every eight to 10 days, watering from the bottom in the mornings. If leaves droop, you’re over-watering. If that happens, let the soil dry an extra day or so before watering next.
How do you know if kalanchoe is overwatered?
An overwatered Kalanchoe will have mushy leaves that will turn soft and squishy. This is the telltale sign that you are giving excess water to your succulents more than what they need. An overwatered Kalanchoe will start losing the normal green color of the leaves.
What does an overwatered kalanchoe look like?
How does an overwatered Kalanchoe look like? An overwatered plant will have soft and mushy leaves. The color of leaves will become lighter than normal green, or translucent in some cases. You will also observe shedding of leaves even with a mere touch of hand or fingers.
What Kalanchoe flowers symbolize?
SYMBOLISM. Flowering Kalanchoë blooms for at least eight weeks. That endurance gives the plant its symbolic meaning of persistence and eternal love.
How do you care for Kalanchoe?
How to Care for a Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Plant Select an area with plenty of sunlight and light, sandy soil. Water kalanchoe when the soil feels dry, but avoid wetting the leaves. Trim off any dead or wilting flowers at their stems. Fertilize kalanchoe during periods of new growth.
Why is my flaming katy dying?
The most likely reason for wilting is overwatering. Kalanchoe plants are quite drought tolerant, so wilting leaves is much less likely to be a problem with underwatering. Overwatering can easily cause root rot, which kills the roots and prevents them from absorbing water, causing a deficiency of water in the plant.
What do you do with a leggy kalanchoe plant?
If your plant looks leggy after pruning, move it to a location where it will get plenty of direct sunlight. You may also want to repot your plant in a slightly larger pot to encourage bushy growth. Place it in a sunny, warm spot, such as next to a window.
