Do you know of any succulent houseplants that bloom for a long time? It must be a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana was discovered by Robert Blossfeld. That’s how it got its name ‘blossfeldiana.’
Generally, Kalanchoe plants can produce flowers all year round but primarily in late winter to late spring. They have different colored flower clusters. The blooms can last from weeks to months, reaching between 6 and 18 inches tall and wide.
Kalanchoe flower are a fun little plant that is attractive and helps keep your house healthy. Continue reading to know more about this flower.
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How Often does the Kalanchoe Flower?
Kalanchoe flowers bloom almost all year round and for a more extended period. Compared to other succulents, these have a long bloom period and are easy to care for.
Kalanchoe is a slow-growing plant that can take up to five years to reach maturity. It blooms when it reaches maturity and is between 6 and 18 inches tall and wide.
These plants’ flowers are photoperiodic, meaning that the flower’s production depends on the length of the day.
It blooms most regularly from late winter to late spring, and the flowering cycle slows as the daylight increases.
Usually, it takes six weeks of 14-hour nights to gain enough energy to bloom.
Kalanchoe plant produces attractive leaves, and the flowers bloom in all the rainbow shades such as red, pink, magenta, orange, yellow, and white.
If the growing parameters are similar to those in the native region, Kalanchoe plants can flower all year.
Similarly, it can rebloom again and again by lowering the amount of daylight to the flower.
If you want to know more about re-blooming, read this article How to Get Kalanchoe to Re-bloom.
Overview of Kalanchoe Flower
Kalanchoes are lovely succulent houseplants that come from Madagascar and tropical Africa.
Its name comes from the Chinese term “Kalan Chau,” which means “falling and growing.” It also represents persistence and everlasting love.
In the table below, I have summarized the overview of this flower:
| Indicator | Identity |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kalanchoe |
| Common Name | Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Panda Plant |
| Native | Madagascar and Tropical Africa |
| Flower Type | Perennial, Succulent |
| Structure | Grows in clusters |
| Blooming Season | Late winter to spring |
| Fragrance | Varies from flower to flower |
| Flower shades | Red, Magenta, Pink, Orange, Yellow and White |
| Pollination | Cross Pollination |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets, considered non-toxic to humans |
The Kalanchoe flower has tight, compact bundles. Those bundles contain seeds that are tiny, around 2.5 million per ounce.
Kalanchoe Flower Pollination
The Kalanchoe flower is protandrous and self-fertile. To produce seeds, it needs pollen from another plant.
As the male of the flower, stamens mature before the female carpels, preventing self-fertilization.
To grow a new Kalanchoe plant, you can buy seeds from internet stores or your local nursery or cross-pollinate the blossom to get the seed.
Follow the following steps to cross-pollinate two Kalanchoes.
- Get a Q-tip or a small paintbrush.
- Collect the pollen from the Kalanchoe flower after it fully blooms. You can either gently shake it or blow it.
- Get that pollen in the paintbrush. Try to get as much pollen as you can.
- Transfer the pollen from the stamen of one flower to the Stigma of another flower by rubbing the brush over the Stigma.
The above steps can force pollinate it, and you can crossbreed different varieties of Kalanchoe and see what colors those breeds will bring. Exciting, isn’t it?
However, natural pollinators such as bees, flying insects, and ants are the most effective at pollinating Kalanchoe Flowers.
How to Make a Kalanchoe Plant Flower?
Making the Kalanchoe flower bloom is not tricky. As it is a low-maintenance plant, it requires little attention from the caretakers.
If you wish to grow a Kalanchoe, you should think about the following conditions.
1. Bright Indirect Sunlight
Indoor Kalanchoe plants require more strong indirect light than outside Kalanchoe plants.
Too much sunlight can burn the leaves, especially in the afternoon.
For Kalanchoe to bloom, ensure the plant isn’t exposed to light for more than 14 hours daily and provide bright indirect light.
Also, Low-light circumstances prevent Kalanchoe flower buds from opening. As soon as the flower buds appear, move the plant to a brighter location.
To get your plant to rebloom, put them in a low-light environment.
This is because Kalanchoe requires low light conditions to force budding. After the buds open, you can move the plant outside.
2. Water Regularly
Kalanchoe’s are a perfect pick for you if you occasionally forget to water your plants, as this plant can thrive in low water.
Water Kalanchoe every one or two weeks just before noon to get a good blossom.
Kalanchoes are succulents as they retain moisture in their leaves. They absolutely cannot stand excess moisture.
Reduce watering six weeks before the target bloom time to force the plant for proper bud production.
3. Warm Temperature
Not maintaining the correct temperature can cause Kalanchoes to stop flowering.
The Kalanchoe bloom prefers a constant indoor temperature, between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
It cannot withstand frost, so it would be best to move your plants indoors in extreme cold.
But, when temperatures rise over 50 degrees, you can always take your Kalanchoe plant outside.
Kalanchoes can even bloom in the winter, brightening up the dreary days.
4. Moderate Humidity
Kalanchoe requires a moderate humidity level to flourish its bloom.
Maintain an ideal humidity, ideally between 30 to 50 percent. However, it can tolerate lower humidity levels, around 30-35%.
You can mist the plants’ foliage or use a humidifier to increase moisture and stimulate the plants to bloom if you have them indoors.
Excessive humidity can also lead to plants’ foliage and flower problems.
Some common problems are damage to the structure of flowers, leaf spots, and even leaf drops.
Tip: If you live in a humid area, move your Kalanchoes to a sunny spot, or keep them indoors if you live in a colder region.
5. Monthly Fertilization
Fertilization is key to encouraging blooming in Kalanchoe flowers.
For the Kalanchoe flower to bloom, use an organic liquid bloom fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 0-10-10.
To get Kalanchoe to rebloom, fertilizing the plant when the plant starts to produce buds helps boost the bloom.
But, avoid fertilizing the plant in the spring and summer, as the plant does not flower during this period.
Also, ensure not to use fertilizer in late fall as they go dormant during this season.
Here are some recommended fertilizers that you can try:
| Fertilizers | Features | Product Image |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Earth Organic Fertilizer | Provides optimum level of primary nutrients |  |
| Burpee Bone Meal Fertilizer | Convenient, pre-measured packets |  |
| AeroGarden Liquid Nutrients | Convenient to use with dispenser cup |  |
| J R Peters Inc Blossom Booster Fertilizer | Provides deep rich leaf color and strong root development |  |
| Fox Farm Big Bloom Liquid Fertilizer | Works for both indoor and outdoor plant |  |
6. Well-Drained Sandy Soil
Kalanchoe plant prefers well-drained, sandy soil to produce its bloom.
When planting Kalanchoe indoors, Ensure there isn’t too much moisture in the air.
Use high-quality potting soil containing perlite (white granules) or sand with a pH of 5.8-6.3.
To obtain a blooming Kalanchoe, you can grow the Kalanchoe plant in a clay pot to ensure proper drainage and avoid an overly damp environment.
7. Force the Dormancy
During the winter months, Kalanchoes go dormant. Winter is critical as the plant gathers energy and prepares to rebloom.
For Kalanchoe to rebloom, cut back on watering and fertilizing during this dormant period.
Give them photoperiod treatment at this time. As it helps plants to adapt to seasonal changes in their environment
Bud development can take anywhere from six to eight weeks. Leave them in broad light for the entire day during this time.
8. Prune Periodically
To prevent the plants from growing too large, Kalanchoes can be pruned from time to time.
Do not prune the plant entirely, as the main attraction of Kalanchoe is its flowers.
With the flowers beginning to fade or die, pinch them off and remove the spent blooms.
However, you must take precautions and avoid over-pruning the flower. Pruning too much will weaken the plant and cause irreversible damage.
When you deadhead flowers, you’re diverting energy away from seed production and toward the production of more blossoms.
Common Problems with Kalanchoe Flowers
Kalanchoe flowers suffer from several common plant problems.
The following are a few of the common problems and their causes.
| Reasons | Problems |
|---|---|
| Under Watering | Flower colors fading off, wrinkly and shriveled-up leaves |
| Over Watering | Drooping, wilting, and rotting of the roots |
| High Humidity | Loss of leaves, Yellow leaf spots, Damaged flower heads and buds |
| Excessive Sunlight | Drying of flowers leaves falling off |
| Lack of Sunlight | Unbalanced growth, falling of leaves and flower petals, elongated stems |
| Pests and Diseases | Powdery mildew, leaf-spot disease, yellow, speckled leaves |
Uses of Kalanchoe Plant Flowers
Kalanchoes are well-known for their therapeutic properties.
There are approximately 150 different species of Kalanchoe, and several contain medicinal properties, which is why Kalanchoe has been used in traditional medicine for ages.
The Kalanchoes flower, on the other hand, is toxic and isn’t utilized for medical purposes.
But, the non-flowering aerial parts, especially the leaves of the plant, have those medicinal qualities.
Regardless, flowers are widely used as ornamental plants. They’re commonly used for aesthetic and commercial purposes.
In addition, Kalanchoes are trendy plants to give as gifts. A gorgeous Kalanchoe will make an excellent gift for your loved ones.
The beautiful Kalanchoe bloom can instantly enhance the aesthetic attractiveness of your space from its varied, brilliant tones of color.
Health Considerations to Keep in Mind
According to ASPCA, Kalanchoe is toxic to cats, dogs, birds, and other livestock.
The Kalanchoe flower contains cardiotoxic bufodienolides that make it poisonous.
Almost all of the Kalanchoe species are toxic to animals.
These flowers can harm your pet, even if they only consume a small portion.
It is rare to watch for clinical signs like vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal heart rate.
Hence keep your Kalanchoes at a spot that is inaccessible to your pets to protect them from getting poisoned.
Call the following numbers if you, your kids, and your pets ever consume the Kalanchoe flower.
- American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) at (888) 222-1222
- ASPCA Poison Center at (800) 426-4435
Conclusion
Now we know that Kalanchoes are indeed a versatile plant.
So, if you want to cheer yourself up at home or work, consider getting yourself a Kalanchoe from your nearest stores.
Do not discard them after they have flowered once. Instead, encourage Kalanchoe to bloom again. It will just need a little effort from your side.
