Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, simply Kalanchoe, is a perennial plant with scallop-shaped leaves and clusters of flowers that extend above the foliage. It enjoys an especially long blooming period when compared to other succulent plants of its family class. Kalanchoe is basically a flowering plant native to Madagascar.
Kalanchoe thrives in arid environments and is a popular, easy-to-grow houseplant. Growers are drawn to kalanchoe for its ease of care and interesting leaves, and for flowers that bloom repeatedly if the light exposure
Soil composition and ph levels for Kalanchoe plants
Soil composition and ph levels are essential for any flowering plant, especially one as delicate as the Kalanchoe. Soils should be well-draining and light made up of a mix of peat moss, perlite, sand, and compost. The ideal ph level for Kalanchoe should range from 5.5 to 6.8 in order to allow for optimum nutrient uptake.
Soils that are too alkaline can lead to poor flowering and growth, so it is important to check your local soil beforehand or use ph-adjusted soil to avoid any unexpected problems with your plants.
Watering Kalanchoe plants
Watering Kalanchoe is an essential part of keeping these lovely succulents healthy. Watering frequency will depend on the amount of sunlight and warmth the plant receives. Kalanchoes should generally be watered once every one to two weeks during the summer, allowing the soil to dry out before each watering.
The best rule of thumb for watering a kalanchoe is to stick your finger in the soil every few days. When the top 2 inches of soil is dry Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot, then discard any water that has collected in the saucer.
Watering lightly more often is better than a heavy version infrequently as this can cause root rot. In colder months, when growth slows down or even stops, reduce watering to once every three to four weeks. Grown indoors, you’ll only need to water every 2 or 3 weeks, but be sure to check regularly.
Are Kalanchoes flowering plants?
Kalanchoe is basically a flowering plant native to Madagascar. It is an evergreen succulent that has clusters of adorable colorful flowers blooming at the end of the stems. There are several species of Kalanchoe and these come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from bright pinks to high yellows.
Do Kalanchoe plants bear fruits?
Yes, these flowering succulent plants produce small 1-2 cm capsule fruits following pollination of their flowers. The fruits contain many flat black seeds which can be used to propagate new plants. All parts and all members of this plant species have varying levels of toxicity and are not edible.
Kalanchoe plants can be harmful when ingested or eaten by humans or pets. In fact, all parts of a Kalanchoe are poisonous, even the water in which the plant sits.
Propagation of Kalanchoe plants
Propagation of Kalanchoe is a simple process that requires very basic materials and minimal effort. Propagating this plant can be done through either cuttings or leaves. For cuttings, it is important to take clean, healthy stems – at least 4 inches long – from the mother plant and dip them in a rooting hormone before sticking them in moist soil.
To propagate through leaves, simply place individual leaves directly on top of the soil giving them enough space to spread out their roots or anchor onto something else. Propagation through either method takes two to three weeks until new growth appears, signalling a successful propagation.
How long do Kalanchoe plants live?
A Kalanchoe plant’s lifespan can last up to seven years if you look after them. A Kalanchoe will keep growing and flowering as long as you keep providing it with nutrients and water. However, reaching that seven-year lifespan is dependent on how the plant is taken care of and it is not the norm.
Benefits of Kalanchoe plants
Kalanchoe is poisonous to pets (and people) if ingested, but it’s typically impervious to pests and it also features in the top 50 houseplants to clean the air, so if desired and safe to do so it’s definitely worth keeping around.
Kalanchoe Integra (family Crassulaceae) has shown various pharmacological usages such as anthelmintic, immunosuppressive, wound healing, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anticonvulsant, and other antipyretic activities.
Pests and diseases afflicting Kalanchoe plants
Mostly common kalanchoe pests include mealybugs, spider mites and scale. During winter months, a fungal disease known as powdery mildew is often noticed to cause damage to indoor plants such as African violet, begonia, ivy, jade, and Kalanchoe.
Fungal growth usually begins as discrete, usually circular, powdery white spots. Some insect pests can also cause secondary problems for kalanchoe. As aphids and mealybugs can transmit viral diseases as they travel among plants.
