Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Care Tips (How to Grow)

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Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a herbaceous and popularly cultivated houseplant of the genus Kalanchoe, and is native to Madagascar, mostly grown for ornamental purposes.

Caring for this plant can be somewhat difficult, especially if you’re not familiar with it, but that’s why we’re here to help you.

In this article, we will discuss extensively everything you need to know about kalanchoe blossfeldiana care.

Let’s get started!

What Is Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana?

Flowing kalanchoes are plants that are primarily seen in the winter months. The holiday plant is equally called florist Kalanchoe, Christmas Kalanchoe, flaming Katy, and widow’s thrill – and there are different varieties of Kalanchoe plants. 

The Christmas Kalanchoe adds a touch of color and warmth to any indoor setting, and this is one of the most planted varieties of Kalanchoe. 

Succulent types of Kalanchoe, like the Christmas Kalanchoe, are usually drought-smart plants that are easy to grow and make significant and beautiful ornamental houseplants.

Some of the varieties of Kalanchoe plants are:

  • Kalanchoe Houghton
  • Kalanchoe millotii
  • Kalanchoe Tomentosa

These are the three most popular types of Kalanchoe plants, the winter season is a time of dormancy for most plants, but this is not the case with Kalanchoe plants.

This beautiful ornamental indoor plant is found in big box stores and florists when it is cold outside, and not much else is on the flower.

See Also: Ficus Lyrata Care Tips

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Care Tips

No matter the variety you choose and what you call it, the widow’s thrill Kalanchoe plant care is the same as many other kalanchoes. Follow these tips, and you will get the most out of your kalanchoe plant. 

  • Sunlight and temperature needs
  • Soil and fertility needs
  • Watering needs

Sunlight and Temperature Needs

All Kalanchoe varieties need sufficient sunlight for their effective growth and development. A south-facing window in winter is the best, and the more sunlight your plant receives, the healthier and better it grows. 

If your plant starts getting so tall with lots of spaces in between the leaves on the stem, what this means is that it is trying to reach for the light source and what you should do is to get closer to the light source to receive more light. 

Doing this effectively will make the flower bloom better and last longer. The next important thing to do is to keep the flower away from the draft and not bring it too close to the window, especially in the winter when the glass is icy. 

Furthermore, Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana is a tropical plant that is very sensitive to cold and can quickly chill. This is why it is best to keep the temperatures near the plant above 50 degrees. The ideal temperature range should be 65 to 75 degrees F

Soil and Fertilizing Needs

For your plant to grow effectively, you must choose well-drained cactus soil for your kalanchoe houseplants. If you cannot find this type of area, you should add some sand to regular potting soil so that the water in it can drain more efficiently. 

When the plant is actively growing, you need to feed it with an all-purpose and well-balanced fertilizer that is sufficient and high in phosphorus (to promote more flowers every two weeks). 

Kalanchoe Watering Needs

One of the most widely acknowledged problems that most people have when they’re trying to grow Kalanchoe is that they overwater them. You need to water this plant thoroughly, after which you will allow it to dry out before you water it again. 

The plant needs to stay about a week before it will need thorough watering again. One of the striking features of this plant is that it stores water in its waxy leaves. This is a natural way the plant deals with drought in its natural habitat.

Water thoroughly, then allow the excess moisture to drain out the bottom into a saucer, and then remove the extra water. Remember not to leave this plant in a pot of water because it can rot very fast. 

Propagation Of Florist Kalanchoe

If you like plants for free, Madagascar widow’s thrill is the first in mind. The plump and waxy leaves of this plant are very easy to propagate. You can equally pot up an entire piece of the stem tip to get new plants even sooner. 

For best results, you should choose leaves that are firm and plump. Choosing a shriveled, thin leaf will dry out quickly. You need to dry out the leaf tip, dip it in a rooting powder, and plant it in the cactus soil or seed starting mix

New plants will grow in a few weeks and can be planted in their respective pots

If the Kalanchoe becomes well established on the pot, they usually send out offsets (offsets are tiny plants that can be potted up). Remove them from the mother plant and add them to new soil; then, you’ll have a plant growing in a few weeks. 

Maintenance

Christmas Kalanchoe is often treated as a houseplant, so little maintenance is involved. In addition to this, plants that are grown indoors can accumulate a lot of dust on the leaves; wipe the leaves monthly with wet clothes or gently spray them with water at a watering time to remove dust from the leaves 

Toxicity Of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

One of the features of the Kalanchoe plant you should know is that it is toxic to both dogs and cats. The government advises owners to be careful when it comes to growing it around pets to prevent the death of the animals. 

Pests and Diseases

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana succulents are an easy-care plant that has few diseases and pest issues. When you water this plant, you need to check the undersides of the leaves for mealybugs, mites, and evidence of scale.

You must understand that the plant is susceptible to stem rot if overwatered. 

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Flower Color

Most succulent plants are usually grown for their foliage, but this plant generally grows for its long-lasting flower. 

This pretty succulent plant with its waxy leaves, comes in different types of colors, from other pure white to all shades of pink, red, or orange. 

These flowers are incredibly long-lasting, which makes them the perfect choice for farmers, it opens gradually so that you’ll have a display of their colors for many weeks on end. 

It is usual for this flower to bloom for 2 to 6 m; the reason for this is because the Kalanchoe flower consists of many tiny flowers which open one at a time, giving rise to so many colors. 

When purchasing this plant, make sure you get one with many unopened buds on it; it will ensure the longest flowering time for your plant at home.

When Does Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Flower? 

For those in the northern hemisphere, Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana usually flowers when the days are short, and the temperatures are very cool. What this means is that it flowers around the holiday period.

The blooming of the flowers results from a response to short day length, just like the species closest to them do. Kalanchoes are one of the most popular succulent house plants that are easy to grow and usually come in different varieties.

Where Does The Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Come From?

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent ornamental plant, but this flower is a native of Madagascar and the tropical part of Africa. This flower is popular with the women there to the point it was nicknamed the Madagascar widow’s thrill.

This flower can also be found growing on the plateaus of the Trasrantana mountain, and it equally grows effectively in soil rich in humus.

In its natural and native habitat, this succulent plant can reach an ultimate height of 12 to 18 inches and spread to about 4 to 19 inches. This plant is an ideal house plant. The upright version of the plant is the most common that is usually grown in a different part of the world.

Related Questions

Does Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana like sun or shades?

During its actual growing stages, this plant needs a lot of sunlight to grow effectively. So it is safe to say that Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana likes sufficient sunlight for its growth and development. 

Is the Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana plant indoor or outdoor?

Due to its extreme cold sensitivity, this plant is best suited as a houseplant where it can grow to its full potential. In a different parts of the world, it is mainly grown as a houseplant.

How Do you keep the Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana plant blooming? 

To keep this plant blooming, you need to keep the plant as warm as possible and keep it away from the draft. Make sure you do not water or feed the plant for six weeks, as, at this point, it is dormant. As soon as you see flower buds, you must move the plant to a brighter light and resume watering.

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