Answering Your Questions About Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
This is one of the most popular blooming indoor plants sold in the trade and can easily be found in grocery stores, big box stores, nurseries, and houseplant shops. We get quite a few questions about growing and caring for a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. Hopefully, you’ll find the answers to be helpful!
You may know this plant as Flaming Katy, Flowering Kalanchoe, or Florist Kalanchoe. There is a relatively new cultivar that is widely sold now known as Calandiva or Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Calandiva. It has rosebud or double flowers. There is now a Grandiva on the market. The care is the same for all of them.
Our Q & A series is a monthly installment where we answer your most common questions on caring for specific plants. Our previous posts cover Christmas Cactus, Poinsettia, Pothos, String Of Pearls, Lavender, Star Jasmine, Fertilizing & Feeding Roses, Aloe Vera, Bougainvillea, Snake Plants.
Common Questions About Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
First off, I want to share a couple of tips. If you want your Flaming Katy plant to be in bloom for as long as possible then buy it with most of the buds closed (I like 2 or 3 of them to be open so I can see the flower color). The flowering period will last longer this way, up to two months.
The second tip is about the grow pot. Mine came in a 4″ tall grow pot which didn’t fit in any of my decorative pots. A regular 4″ grow pot is 3″ or 4″ tall. This one was about 6″ tall. These Kalanchoe blossfeldianas don’t root deep so I cut off 2″ or so off the bottom of the rootball and cut the rim of the pot down. It fit beautifully inside the decorative pot now!
If you’re interested in learning more about these plants, check out our posts dedicated to Flowering Kalanchoe Care and Calandiva Care.
Exposure
Can Kalanchoe take full sun? Can a Kalanchoe get too much sun? Will a Kalanchoe grow in the shade?
Yes, as long as it’s not direct hot sun. They do best in bright light with indirect sun. They’re grown in greenhouses with whitewashing or some other method of shading to protect them from the sun coming through the glass, plastic, or fiberglass. The more warm sunlight they’re receiving, the faster the bloom time will be.
Yes, it can. They like bright light but because they’re succulent plants, will burn if in prolonged direct hot sun. Most of the Flowering Kalanchoes that I’ve seen have been greenhouse-grown, not field grown.
It depends on the degree and length of the shade. Here in Tucson, AZ they need shade from the strong sun. They will become leggy and won’t grow or flower in too much shade or if the light levels are too low in your home.
Location
Is a Kalanchoe indoor or outdoor? Will a Kalanchoe survive outdoors? Where should I put my Kalanchoe?
They’re generally sold as flowering houseplants but will grow outdoors in flower beds and containers if the conditions suit them. If you’re one growing indoors for the winter, you can bring it outdoors for the summer as long as it doesn’t get too much sun or rain.
A kalanchoe will survive outdoors as long as it’s not in direct sun, doesn’t get too much rain, the soil drains freely, and the temperatures don’t drop below 45F.
Put your Kalanchoe where you’ll enjoy it! The best location is one where it receives bright natural light but no direct hot sun away from any cold or hot drafts.
Growing succulents indoors? Here’s what you need to know about Indoor Succulent Care Basics.
Water
How often do you water Kalanchoe plants? How do you know if a Kalanchoe is overwatered?
It’s hard to give you a set schedule. These are succulent plants that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. They’re prone to root rot if you water them too often. I water mine when the soil goes dry. When it’s blooming, I water it a bit more often. For instance, if I’m watering it every 14 days, then I’ll water it every 10-12 days when in flower. When the winter months roll around, you’ll most likely water them less often.
The leaves get mushy. You’ll see yellow and/or brown leaves start to appear. The leaves may start to curl or wilt, and the stems could pinch in.
If you are looking for more on succulents? Check out our 6 Most Important Succulent Care Tips.
Flowering/Repeat Flowering
How do you get a Kalanchoe to rebloom? Why is my Kalanchoe not flowering? Will my Kalanchoe flower again?
A Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a short day plant. They need long nights (12-14 hours) with complete darkness to rebloom. Just like a Christmas Cactus and a Poinsettia, they need equal or slightly more hours of darkness to set buds. You can achieve this by placing it in a spare room with a window where the lights aren’t on in the evening, or into a closet or under a box every night for 6-8 weeks.
There are a few reasons. The main one is most likely the explanation above. It could also be a watering issue or not enough light. I always prune mine after flowering to encourage another flush or two of blooms.
It may. Technically, it’s a succulent perennial so it should. I’ve found when one reblooms, there aren’t as many flowers per stem nor are the flowers as big or abundant. However, they’re still pretty and it’s worth giving a try to get a rebloom or two out of them.
Here you can read about getting a Christmas Cactus to bloom again.
Pruning
How do I dead head my Kalanchoe? How do I prune a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana?
The stems of a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are soft, so you can pinch the stems off with the dead flowers using your fingernails (if you have them!). You can also use a pair of floral snips (I’ve had mine for over 25 years now!), pruners, or a pair of scissors. Once all the flower clusters on the stem are dead, you can cut that stem all the way back to the main stem. If you prefer a visual, I illustrate how I deadhead the flower stems midway through the video at the end of this post.
Like all kalanchoe plants that I know of (they are over a hundred species of them), a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana gets leggy over time. You will need to prune it at some time to keep the form attractive. I cut the stems off straight across just above a leave node. How much I cut off depends on how the plant looks and how spindly the stems are.
We’ve got you covered on pruning, here is our How To Prune Succulents Guide
Growth
How long does a Kalanchoe plant last? How do you grow a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana? Does a Kalanchoe come back every year?
Kalanchoe blossfeldianas are classified as succulent plants. The longest I’ve had one is for 3 to 4 years. It got very leggy (but still flowered) and because I have over 60+ houseplants, decided it wasn’t worth the effort or the water to keep it alive.
They are easy to grow. In a nutshell, they like bright natural indirect light and to be watered when dry. It’s best to read this post on kalanchoe care to get all the details.
Pots
How to repot a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana? Do kalanchoes need big pots?
The first thing to know is the type of mix that they like. Use a well-draining soil that allows the excess water to readily flow out. Don’t repot one when it’s flowering or setting bud. Check the link below for more details.
No. Kalanchoes don’t have an extensive root system. The majority are sold in 4″, 6″, and 1-gallon pots. The greater the soil mass, the greater the chance of it staying too wet which leads to root rot.
Looking for more on choosing the right plant pot? Here is our guide on Choosing Succulents & Pots.
Pets
Are Kalanchoe blossfeldiana poisonous to cats?
They’re considered to be toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. Flowering Kalanchoes are part of the Crassulaceae family (which includes another popular succulent houseplant the Jade Plant) and all are toxic.
I have many houseplants and two kitties. One could care less about plants and the other is mildly obsessed with the crunchy grass-like leaves of my Spider Plant. None of my kitties have ever paid any attention to any of my succulents. Do more research as to the effects, use your judgment, and make a decision.
Are you interested in another blooming houseplant with long-lasting flowers? Check out our Phalaenopsis Orchid care guide.
Winter
How do you keep a Kalanchoe alive in winter?
Kalanchoes are sold all year round and their bright flowers are a cheerful sight in the winter months. Because the light levels are lower and shorter in the winter months, you may have to move yours to a spot that gets more light.
And, you’ll probably have to back off on the watering frequency at this time. Because the foliage grows densely, keep your eye out for powdery mildew too.
Temperature
Can a Kalanchoe tolerate heat? How cold hardy is a Kalanchoe?
One will tolerate heat to an extent, but it’s not the optimum growing condition. They wouldn’t do well in the desert heat here in the summer, and definitely not in any hot sun.
Two of my Kalanchoe blossfeldianas grew on my front porch in Santa Barbara. Winter temps dipped into the low to mid-40s, and they were fine.
Most of our homes are climate controlled so the temperature isn’t an issue as they can adapt to warmer or cooler.
Bonus
How do you care for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana?
These are low maintenance plants, except for the repeat flowering process. Succulents in general are easy care. In a nutshell, they like bright indirect light and watering when dry. I water mine a bit more often to keep the flowers looking good when it’s in bloom.
If you’re interested in learning more about these plants, check out our posts dedicated to Flowering Kalanchoe Care and Calandiva Care.
Answering Your Questions About Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Video Guide
Kalanchoe blossfeldianas (Flowering Kalanchoes) are easy to find, easy to grow, and are in flower for a long period of time. They flower for a long period of time and are a lot more economical than weekly cut flowers. What’s not to love?!
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
