Is Kalanchoe poisonous? One article explains it clearly for you
Is Kalanchoe poisonous? Actually Kalanchoe is non-toxic, belonging to the Crassulaceae family, Kalanchoe genus, with aliases such as Shouxing flower, false croton, Christmas kalanchoe, and Christmas kalanchoe, native to Madagascar, Africa. It likes warm and humid environments, is not cold-tolerant, and is a relatively easy-to-grow potted flower.
Kalanchoe prefers relatively warm temperatures. The suitable growing temperature is no more than 30 degrees during the day and no lower than 18 degrees at night. Temperatures that are too high or too low will affect its normal growth.
Kalanchoe has a relatively low water requirement. Finish watering before noon, and the leaves must remain dry before nightfall. It is a short-day plant and will bloom only after at least 6 weeks of treatment. During short-day treatment, there must be at least 14 hours of darkness each day. Generally, October 1 to March 1 of the following year is the natural short-day period. When planted in a larger pot, it should be given long-day treatment in the early growth stage, allowing the plant to reach a certain size before being given short-day treatment to make it bloom. Otherwise, the plant may be somewhat small.
Kalanchoe is generally not pinched in Europe and America, but in China it can be pinched as needed. After pinching, the plant generally has a better shape. A single plant grown in a pot of more than 15 cm should be pinched, usually 3 to 4 weeks after planting. Removing some flower buds when they first appear can promote the formation of more flower buds. After the flowers fade, remove the spent flowers promptly.
The Kalanchoe plant is small and compact, with dense emerald-green leaves and richly colored flowers. Because its flowering period is near Christmas and the flowering period is long, it has become a “holiday flower” used to enhance the festive atmosphere. In addition, the leaves of Kalanchoe are thick and fleshy, densely dark green, and glossy, with high ornamental value. When it is not blooming, its leaves can still be enjoyed, making it a very ideal indoor potted flower.
At night, CO2 in the atmosphere enters the cytoplasm of Kalanchoe through the stomata, is catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and combines with PEP to form oxaloacetic acid. It is then reduced to malic acid by the action of malate dehydrogenase and stored in the vacuole, where its concentration can reach 100 millimoles per liter. The movement of malic acid from the cytoplasm into the vacuole through the tonoplast is an active process, while its return from the vacuole to the cytoplasm is a passive process. During the day, after malic acid is released from the vacuole, it undergoes decarboxylation to form CO2 and C3 compounds. Two decarboxylases can catalyze this reaction. In some plants, NADP (coenzyme II)- or NAD (coenzyme I)-malic enzyme catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation to form CO2 and pyruvate, while in other plants PEP carboxykinase catalyzes the formation of oxaloacetic acid and decarboxylates it to produce CO2 and PEP. After CO2 is produced, it is refixed through the photosynthetic carbon cycle and ultimately forms carbohydrates such as starch. Under weak light, especially when the temperature is high, part of the CO2 will be released into the atmosphere.
The non-toxicity and strong adaptability of Kalanchoe make it an ideal plant for home cultivation. Placing a few pots in a newly renovated house not only beautifies the home environment but can also absorb harmful gases.