PlantWhy

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana · Succulent

Quick answer: Water: Every 2–3 weeks, when the soil is fully dry (estimated). Light: Bright light with some direct sun. Soil: Cactus and succulent mix, very well-drained. Pets: Listed by ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs; eating it can cause stomach upset and, in larger amounts, heart-related problems. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

A compact succulent with thick, scalloped leaves and dense clusters of small flowers in red, pink, orange, yellow or white. It blooms for weeks in late winter and spring and needs little water. With the right light schedule it will flower again the next year.

Kalanchoe
Photo: বাক্যবাগীশ, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
💧WaterEvery 2–3 weeks, when the soil is fully dry (estimated)
☀️LightBright light, some direct sun
🐾PetsToxic to pets

Care at a glance

Light
Bright light with some direct sun
Water
Only when the soil has dried out
Soil
Cactus and succulent mix, very well-drained
Temperature
Best 60–70 °F; cool nights help flowers last; keep above 45 °F
Pot size
4–6 in pot for most plants
Container
Terracotta or plastic pot with drainage holes
Bloom
Late winter to spring, for 6–8 weeks (estimated)
Lifespan
Perennial; often treated as a seasonal plant

When?

Buy or repot in spring after flowering. To trigger new buds, give the plant 14–16 hours of unbroken darkness each night for at least 6 weeks in autumn; buds usually appear in winter.

Step by step

  1. Plant in a small pot with drainage holes and cactus mix.
  2. Place it in a sunny window; a few hours of direct sun keeps it compact.
  3. Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely.
  4. Water less in winter, roughly every 2–3 weeks.
  5. Remove faded flower stalks to keep the plant tidy.
  6. Feed lightly once a month in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer.
  7. In autumn, cover it or move it to a dark room for 14–16 hours nightly for at least 6 weeks.
  8. Root stem cuttings in spring to replace old, leggy plants.

Common problems

Soft, black stemsRot from too much water; cut away damage and repot in dry mix.
Stretched, pale growthToo little light; move to a sunnier spot.
No new flowersNights are not dark enough in autumn; follow the darkness routine.
White powdery leavesPowdery mildew; improve airflow and avoid wetting the leaves.

Pets

Listed by ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs; eating it can cause stomach upset and, in larger amounts, heart-related problems. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Related tools

Soil and mulch calculator

Similar plants

Jade PlantEcheveriaChristmas Cactus

Sources

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.