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Kalanchoe
You may want to skip trying to pronounce Kalanchoe, but you sure don't want to miss the opportunity to add a few to your indoor garden. Although it doesn't really matter just how you pronounce it, the pronouncing dictionary says it is ka-lan-ko-ee. There are several types of Kalanchoes grown as houseplants: some are grown for their beautiful flowers and others are admired for their foliage. The flowering Kalanchoe is known in England as Flaming Katy because when it is kept in bright sunlight, the leaves develop lots of red along the edges. Among the flowering Kalanchoes, the bloom colors include red, yellow, orange, white, lilac and pink. Once in bloom, the flowers last a long time. They are difficult to bring into bloom again, so they are usually considered a temporary plant and discarded after the flowers fade. If you want to try to rebloom Kalanchoe, cut off the dried flowers and put the plant on a shady windowsill for about a month, keeping it almost dry for that time. Then bring it back to its sunny spot. Kalanchoe naturally blooms in spring, though it is brought into flower commercially at any time of year in greenhouses. One of the most interesting non-blooming varieties of Kalanchoe is the Panda plant, Kalanchoe tomentosa. It earned its name because its fuzzy leaves with brown edges resemble panda toes. Like most succulents, the Panda plant is easy to keep as a houseplant. It is quite often used in mixed planters with cacti and other succulents. Its rounded, furry leaves makes a good texture contrast with shiny, spiny things.
When selecting flowering Kalanchoes, look for plants that fill their containers and are just coming into bloom. To select a nice Panda plant, look for one that has several main branches emerging from the soil. If the plant comes with a decorative sleeve around it, be sure to monitor the plant closely to make sure it isn't overwatered, or remove the sleeve.
Tips for Growing Healthy Kalanchoe
What are the light requirements for Kalanchoe? They prefer full sun but will also do well in a situation with very high light. If grown for very long without enough light, they become leggy and weak.
How much water do they need? They need to be watered thoroughly and then allowed partially to dry out before watering. If Kalanchoe are grown in a decorative container without a drainage hole, be very careful not to let water accumulate or the plants will rot.
Do they have any special temperature requirements? They are perfectly happy in the same temperatures that we like indoors, but can tolerate temperatures down to around 50º.
Do Kalanchoes need much humidity? Since they are succulents, they do not need as much humidity as most houseplants. They do well with average indoor humidity.
How much fertilizer do they require? When Kalanchoe are purchased in bud or in flower, they won't need any fertilizer. If kept to re-bloom later, fertilize after the rest period with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro™. Non-blooming Kalanchoe such as the panda plant should be given half strength fertilizer only in summer.
What type of soil do Kalanchoes prefer? A fast-draining soil is important. The kind that is sold for cactus is ideal.
When should I repot my Kalanchoe? The panda plant should be repotted when the roots fill the container. That may be several years. Just check occasionally by gently removing the pot and looking at the soil ball. When nearly all the outside of the root ball is covered by roots, repot. Flowering Kalanchoes seldom need to be repotted.
Will they need any grooming? Only to remove dead leaves or flowers. If the leaves get dusty, clean them with a gentle shower of water.
How are they propagated? Like all succulents, they are propagated by cuttings. Take stem cuttings in spring or summer and allow them to dry for several days (large cuttings for a week or two) before putting them into well-drained potting soil. Water sparingly and do not cover the plants to raise the humidity. They rot very easily if over-watered.
Do not feed the cuttings until new growth has appeared. Once new growth hasemerged, use liquid fertilizer at half the recommended strength for the first growing season.
Troubleshooting Problems With Kalanchoe
The leaves on my Panda plant are drying and falling off. Why? Though they are succulent, they must not dry out totally. Water when the soil feels dry to your finger. Check to see if it might be root bound.
My flowering Kalanchoe is black at the base of the stem and seems to be dying. What happened? It was probably kept too wet. Kalanchoes rot very easily in wet soil; allow them to dry out on the soil surface before they are watered.
Why can't I get my Kalanchoe to bloom again? The process for blooming them out of their usual season (spring) is complex and not easy to accomplish in the home. If you'd like to try, give them a cool, shady, dry rest period of at least a month. Then repot them and put them back on a sunny windowsill. They may bloom the next spring, but they may not. The surest way to have them in flower is to buy another plant already in bloom.
I thought Panda plants didn't bloom, but mine is trying. Why? Once in a long while They may produce white flowers, but this generally does not happen when grown indoors. If you find the flowers attractive, leave them. Otherwise, snip them off.
Do Kalanchoes ever have problems with insects? Rarely. If you happen to have a problem, bring in a sample to one of our indoor plant experts and they will help you find a safe and effective solution.
Additional Bachman's Information
General Care for Indoor Plants
Caring For Plants While You're Gone
Potting Indoor Plants
Propagation of Indoor Plants
Signs of Trouble with Indoor Plants
Watering Basics for Indoor Plants
Mums, Azaleas and Cyclamen, Oh My!
Favorite Succulents
Indoor Plants for Varying Light
©Bachman's 2008
