Kalanchoes are succulents that grow best in a well-drained and well- aerated potting soil, such 60% peat moss and 40% perlite.
Trim back tall growth and old flower stems. Keep well watered in a sunny, warm window. After danger of frost, move outdoors to a bright, lightly shaded spot for the summer.
If you plan to keep your Kalanchoe indoors as a houseplants, know that it is one of the longest lasting, blooming plants you could buy. It can be a challenge to get them to bloom again. But here is what we recommend:
If your Kalanchoe just doesn’t want to repeat bloomed, don’t feel bad. Part of getting them to show their flowers in just “good luck” because you’re really going to have to work for it. Kalanchoes, like Poinsettias, are photoperiodic. This means they react to periods of light exposure and need at least 12-14 hours of complete darkness to bloom again.
Chances are, if you have them in your home, you have them in a room that isn’t getting that amount. So, starting in winter, you have to put them in a closet or a room that’s pitch black for 12-14 hours. And yes, they need that every night for 2 months. Be sure to cut back on the watering too.
Kalanchoes are known for their flowers which come in vibrant shades of red, orange white and pink. The flowers are long-lasting and the foliage a nice, rich, shiny green. It is definitely worth the effort to get them to re-blooming to add lasting color and texture to your home.
Here are the indoor care instructions we recommend:
Light: As bright as possible, something like a south &/or west exposure. Give it lots of sun but nothing direct for more than 2 hours. Keep it away from the hot windows – touching that glass will burn it. Ouch!
Water: Every 2 weeks in the warmer months. If the soil is still wet, wait until the top 1/2 dries out. And, don’t let it sit in water. Remember, they are succulents which means they store water in their leaves & stems.
Soil: Organic potting soil suitable for houseplants. A mixture of half potting soil & half succulent & cactus mix would be fine.
Temperature: We’d say if your home is comfortable to you, then your houseplants should be just fine too. They would enjoy a vacation outdoors in the warmer months (refer to outdoor care below).
Fertilizer: Use an organic liquid fertilizer, but easy does it. Only 2 applications per year – once in mid-Spring & the other in mid-Summer.
Pests: Keep an eye out for the mealybug. It leaves behind a residue which looks like specks of cotton.
Growing Kalanchoes outside in the garden
(They look best in pots & not growing in the ground)
Light: Bright shade. They should get 1 or 2 hours of direct sun in the summer, no more.
Water: Once a week, thoroughly.
Soil: Plant in organic potting soil.
Fertilizer: You probably will not need to use any. Plant with worm castings & then top dress with worm castings as well as compost every Spring. You can water in some seaweed extract once or twice during the warm months.
Tip: Trim off the dead flowers, taking the stem all the way down to where it meets the foliage. You don’t have to do it too often because the flowers are long-lasting..