How to Grow Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a flowering perennial succulent in the Crassulaceae family. This Madagascar native plant has the common names Madagascar widow's-thrill, flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe, and florist kalanchoe.

It’s most commonly grown as an indoor plant, though the kalanchoe plant can grow easily outdoors too. The plant’s blooms can be vivid yellow, pink, orange, red, or white, and the flowers are long-lasting and open slowly, so you will have a colorful bundle for weeks. The leaves are fleshy, large, and dark green.

You can find Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants at home and garden stores, florists, and even grocery stores. When buying kalanchoe plants, look for ones with unopened buds.

• Kalanchoe plants need light, well-draining soil. If you're repotting the plant, use half cactus mix or perlite and half potting soil. If planting outside, make sure the hole is big enough to accommodate the plant’s roots and pack the soil lightly. If your soil is dense, you can add some perlite in to keep it airy.
• Place your succulent in a sunny location. Kalanchoe can grow in full sun and bright, indirect light. If you’re growing outdoors in a hot climate, keep the plant out of direct sunlight in the afternoon, so it doesn’t burn. It can also grow in low light or partial light, though it won’t produce as many flowers, and the leaves may get spindly.
• Water kalanchoe plants sparingly. Wait until the soil has dried thoroughly between waterings, about two weeks. Be sure to water the plant at the soil level to prevent rot. You can tell if your plant is getting enough water through the leaves: If they look withered or saggy, you’re probably under-watering. The leaves should be full and fleshy.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants are easy to care for, but here are some additional tips to get the most out of your plant.

• Protect your kalanchoe from pests. Humidity around the plant can lead to powdery mildew or mealybugs. A spritz of neem oil can help to control pests.
• Deadhead spent blooms and prune foliage to promote growth. Deadheading will encourage the plant to bloom more continuously. When the growing season has finished, remove the old flower stalks and prune them back to the second or third leaf on the stem with good pruning shears. At this time, you can also shape the plant by clipping the green leaves if it’s grown particularly tall. Pruning will help encourage bushier growth.
• Overwinter your kalanchoe. These succulents grow best in warmer environments and will die in climates below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re growing the plant outside, move it into a protected area in the winter months.
• Encourage your plant to rebloom all year. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana usually bloom in the spring, but you can make them bloom throughout the year by mimicking winter conditions. Water it less often and put it in a closet or a box where it can get 14 hours of darkness a day, and then take it out for 10 hours of light. Do this for six weeks, and then bring the plant back out when you see flower buds forming.

If you want to create more Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, it’s much easier to grow these plants from cuttings rather than seeds. Follow these steps to propagate:

1. 1. Cut: Take stem cuttings from a plant that has finished growing. The cutting should be about four to five inches long with the bottom few leaves removed.
2. 2. Dry: You want the cut end to dry out and form a callus, so set it in an empty pot for a few days.
3. 3. Plant: Plant the cutting in a succulent and cactus mix and wait until it roots, about three weeks. During this time, keep the soil moist by misting the plantlet—this is the only time the plant enjoys a moist environment.

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