Kalanchoe is a very popular house plant that is usually on sale during late winter and spring months.

The durable flowering potted plant required very little maintenance making it a favorite in the home or office. Kalanchoe has dark green, thick waxy leaves with scalloped-edges and small, four-petaled flowers in clusters. Kalanchoes come in a wide range of colors such as red, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, and white. It is native to Madagascar and was introduced in 1932 by a German hybridizer, Robert Blossfeld.
Kalanchoe grows best in full sun and a well-drained potting media. Plants can be damaged by over watering. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Kalanchoe can tolerate bright indoor light levels, however, plants tend to get lanky in low light conditions, so make sure you put your plant next to a sunny window. Fertilize actively growing plants with any houseplant fertilizer once a month. Cool night temperatures prolong flower life. Ideal temperatures are 45-65°F at night and 50-70 °F during the day.
Kalanchoes can rebloom the next season. After flowering, shift your kalanchoe to a slightly larger pot. Since kalanchoes are succulents, they grow best in well-drained and aerated potting soil. Cut back old flower stems and tall growth. Move your kalanchoe outdoors to a bright, lightly shaded spot for the summer after the danger of frost has passed. Gradually adjust them to outdoor conditions so tender leaves will not burn. Bring your kalanchoe back indoors before the first frost or 3 months before desired bloom time.
Kalanchoes are like poinsettias, meaning they require short day lengths and long nights for flower bud development. Natural day lengths that allow flower bud occur between October 1 and March 1. Natural winter day length will supply kalanchoe with a 14 to 16-hour night period. It will take about 6 weeks of natural winter day length for flower buds to form. If your plant is inside, keep the plant in a room where light is not turned on during the naturally dark hours or control day length by placing the plant in a closet in late afternoons and then bringing it out to a high light environment each morning.
To propagate kalanchoe, start in spring or early summer. Use vegetative shoots not flowering shoots for best rooting. Terminal cuttings for propagation should be two- to three- inches long with two pairs of leaves. Remove the leaves from the cutting. No rooting hormone is needed. Allow the cuttings to callus for several days before inserting into the rooting medium. Place the pot indoors in a bright, indirect light. Place a plastic bag over the pot to maintain high levels of humidity. Cuttings should be established enough to transplant in 14 to 21 days to a 6 to 8-inch pot.
Kalanchoe rarely has problems in the home. Too much or too little water and insects are the main problem. Root rot results from a soil that does not drain quickly or from over watering. Do not let your plants sit in water.
Powdery mildew can be a possible disease. Leaves may be mottled and have yellow spotting, dead flecks, line or ring spot patterns. To prevent powdery mildew, allow for plenty of air flow around the plant material. Potassium bicarbonate, like Bonide Remedy, can be use on kalanchoe to help control powdery mildew.
Mealybugs, aphids and brown scale are the most common insect pests of kalanchoe. Isolate plants that are infested. Control mealybugs by wiping them off with alcohol using a cotton swab. Both brown scale and aphids can be removed by scraping them off.
Clemson Extension will be having their annual fruit tree fundraiser. If you are interested in an order form please call the Extension office at 843-774-8218 extension 0.
For more information on kalanchoe, please visit the Home and Garden Information Center website at hgic.clemson.edu. Tune in on Tuesday nights to watch “Making it Grow” at 7 p.m. on SCETV or mig.org. Email Outen at callenb@clemson.edu.
*
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.