Kalanchoe (Christmas kalanchoe) growing methods, cautions, and how to handle a plant that only grows leaves and won't bloom

Kalanchoe, also known as the longevity flower, dwarf kalanchoe and Christmas kalanchoe, is a perennial evergreen succulent flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family. Its natural blooming period usually begins in late December and can last until early May of the following year, which is why it is named the longevity flower; it carries the meaning of great good fortune and a long life of a hundred years. So how do you grow kalanchoe, and what are the growing methods and cautions for kalanchoe?

Growing methods for kalanchoe

1. Soil selection for growing kalanchoe:

Kalanchoe must not be grown in heavy, sticky soil, otherwise it will grow poorly, with root rot and leaf drop, and in severe cases the plant will die. The potting soil should be mixed from 4 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil and 2 parts river sand, plus a small amount of bone meal. This growing medium is loose and fertile, drains well and is slightly acidic, which benefits root development.

2. Fertilizing methods for growing kalanchoe:

Kalanchoe must not be grown in heavy, sticky soil, otherwise it will grow poorly, with root rot and leaf drop, and in severe cases the plant will die. The potting soil should be mixed from 4 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil and 2 parts river sand, plus a small amount of bone meal. This growing medium is loose and fertile, drains well and is slightly acidic, which benefits root development.

During the peak growing season, apply a dilute compound liquid fertilizer once every 15 to 20 days to promote strong growth and abundant flowering. After flower buds form in November, apply 1 to 2 additional doses of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or 0.5% superphosphate, which will give more flowers, brighter colors and a longer blooming period.

3. Watering methods for growing kalanchoe:

Like other succulents, kalanchoe holds a fair amount of water in its tissues and has strong drought tolerance, so it does not need heavy watering. During the growing period, simply water thoroughly once every 2 to 3 days and keep the potting soil slightly moist. When temperatures are low in winter, watering must be controlled even more. If watered too much, with poor drainage and overly wet potting soil, the roots are prone to rot.

Although kalanchoe is fairly drought tolerant, it must not lack water during the growing season; normally water once every 2 to 3 days. During the vegetative growth stage, be sure to keep the soil moist and water at the right time and in the right amount. In summer, when kalanchoe is in an environment of high heat, strong sunlight, high evaporation and dry air, water once every evening. In cold winter, kalanchoe enters dormancy, so watering should be controlled, or even stopped for short periods.

4. Light requirements for growing kalanchoe:

Kalanchoe likes plenty of sunlight, and when grown at home it should be placed in a spot with direct sunlight all year round. In the hot summers of the north, light intensity is high and can easily yellow the leaves, so around midday it should be shaded appropriately, or placed in a semi-shaded spot indoors, but be sure to keep it ventilated and cool. If kalanchoe is grown with insufficient light for a long time, not only will the branches become thin and long and the leaves thin and small, spoiling the plant's shape, but the number of flowers will decrease, the flower colors will be less vivid, and large numbers of leaves will drop, ruining its ornamental value.

5. Temperature requirements for growing kalanchoe:

The most suitable temperature for kalanchoe growth is 20 to 25°C. Above 30°C or below 10°C, growth clearly stops and the plant enters dormancy or semi-dormancy. In winter, if the temperature falls below 10°C, move it into a greenhouse to overwinter. If conditions allow, keep the indoor temperature at 16 to 20°C during the day and 10 to 15°C at night, so that kalanchoe can bloom at New Year's Day and Spring Festival.

In winter the room temperature must not be lower than 12°C; 15 to 18°C during the day and above 10°C at night is best. If the temperature drops to 6 to 8°C, the leaves turn red and flowering is delayed.

Pinching methods for growing kalanchoe:

In the early stage of vigorous growth, pinch promptly to encourage more branching, so the plant shape becomes full and its ornamental effect improves. After the flowers fade, promptly cut off the spent flowers so they do not consume nutrients and reduce the number of flowers in the next bloom.

Generally, repot once each spring after the flowers fade. When repotting, be sure to add fresh growing medium.

Kalanchoe plants are short, compact in shape, with jade-green leaves and brilliant flowers borne in dense clusters, and an extremely long blooming period. Its flowering season falls right at New Year and Spring Festival; grown in a small purple-clay pot and placed on a windowsill or tea table, it offers both foliage and flowers to enjoy.

Cautions for growing kalanchoe:

1. Kalanchoe is phototropic, so during growth you should often change the direction of the pot and adjust the light so the plant receives light evenly and the branches grow symmetrically in all directions. If the pot is not turned for a long time, the plant will grow leaning to one side, spoiling its ornamental effect.

2. In the hot summer, shade appropriately around midday and be sure to keep it ventilated and cool. If it cannot receive enough sunlight for a long time, the branches become thin and weak, the flower colors dull, the flowers wither, and the leaves soften and drop, spoiling its ornamental value.

3. The ambient temperature should be kept above 12°C; if it is too low, the leaf edges turn red and flowering is delayed.

4. Kalanchoe is a short-day flowering plant; flower buds can only differentiate at a temperature of 20°C and 8 hours of daylight. Once the flower buds have formed, follow the plant's light requirements for flowering: in summer, let it receive scattered light before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. each day, avoid strong sunlight around midday, use a shade net to block 40% of the light, and at night place it under a fluorescent lamp as much as possible, so it can keep blooming in summer too. During the growing period, besides shading in midsummer, it also needs to maintain 60% light transmission; in the other seasons give it plenty of light.

5. Kalanchoe is generally repotted once in September to October. Use a potting mix of peat, vermiculite and garden soil in a 2:2:1 ratio. After repotting, gradually increase the light and begin top-dressing.

Some gardeners' kalanchoes only grow leaves and never bloom; so how should you grow them to get more flowers?

1. Variety and age

First, make sure the kalanchoe you are growing is a variety that flowers relatively easily, and also consider the age of the plant; with some varieties, after 3 years the root and stem area ages naturally and may even rot away.

If it can barely stay alive, that is already good, let alone bloom; so make sure your kalanchoe is robust.

2. Pruning

After flowering the previous year, prune the branches. Around May 1 each year, prune the kalanchoe, leaving 2 to 3 nodes (one leaf counts as one node) above the potting soil level, counting upward from the base; if the cut-off portion has only four nodes left, 3 to 4 stems are enough to make a new potted cutting.

3. Fertilizing

Kalanchoe is a plant that likes fertilizer; each spring and summer give it more nitrogen fertilizer to promote leaf growth, and after the start of autumn give it fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium.

4. Light

During the period when buds are forming, make sure it can get sun during the day, but reduce the hours of light: shade it after 4 p.m. and let it see light again after 8 a.m. the next day.

Is kalanchoe poisonous?

Answer: No, it is not poisonous.

Kalanchoe is a succulent plant that produces many flowers; a single flowering stem can bear dozens of flowers, and the blooming period lasts more than 5 months, which is why it is named “longevity flower”. Its blooming period coincides with Christmas, New Year's Day and Spring Festival, and its ornamental effect is excellent, so growing kalanchoe indoors can beautify the environment and add a festive air to winter holidays. Because its flowers are especially brilliant and colorful, many people mistakenly believe kalanchoe is poisonous. In fact, kalanchoe is harmless to humans and is one of the better indoor ornamental flowers for winter and spring.

After consulting a large amount of material and online resources, we understand that kalanchoe belongs to the category of healthy flowers; as long as it is cared for carefully and not eaten in large quantities by mistake, it will not cause harm. Kalanchoe is not only non-toxic, but placing a few pots in a newly renovated house can also absorb harmful gases. Because of its name meaning longevity, and because its blooming period coincides with Christmas, New Year's Day and Spring Festival, it is an ideal potted flower for giving to relatives and elders during New Year's Day and Spring Festival. So giving a pot of kalanchoe to relatives and friends during the holidays means great good fortune and a long life of a hundred years; it is both appropriate and pleasing.

Can kalanchoe be placed in the bedroom?

Answer: Yes, it can.

Kalanchoe combines many flower colors with being easy to grow, and is very popular with gardeners. Plants in the bedroom should be kept to a moderate number, 1 to 2 pots is enough. Kalanchoe absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide during the day, and at night it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, making it very suitable for placing in the bedroom at night. This way it not only does not compete with people for oxygen, but can also supplement indoor oxygen levels! Moreover, kalanchoe is not poisonous and has no fragrance, so it is very suitable for pregnant women to grow; growing flowers can also cultivate the mind, which is quite nice.