Melinda Myers

Kalanchoe

Botanical Name

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Hardiness

Zones 10 to 12

Height

1 to 2 feet

Width

12 inches

Flowers

Yellow, red, pink, orange, magenta, white

Light

Full sun or bright indirect light

Soil

Well-drained pottting mix

Planting & Care

• Plants will become spindly in low light conditions
• As a succulent, kalanchoe will rot with poor drainage and overwatering. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
• Fertilize actively growing plants with a diluted solution of flowering houseplant fertilizer. Cut back watering and halt fertilizing during the winter.
• Prune back tall growth and old flower stems to maintain size and appearance
• Propagate by cuttings
• Like poinsettias, kalanchoes require short day lengths and long nights to develop flower buds. Plants can be forced into bloom any time of year by providing 14-16 hours of darkness for 6 weeks. Since nights are naturally longer from October to March, it is an ideal time to force bloom. Provide plants with 14-16 hours of total darkness each night. Move plants to an unused closet or room. Or cover the plant with a cardboard box to keep out any artificial light. Temperatures about 80 degrees can inhibit flower bud development. Once flower buds are large enough to to be seen above the foliage, plants can be moved out of dark treatment to enjoy the floral display. Cool night temperatures and slightly dry soil help stimulate bloom.

Problems

Root rot on poorly drained soil, powdery mildew, mealybugs, aphids, scale