What is flaming katy?
Flaming katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a flowering succulent from Madagascar that has become one of the world’s best-selling potted plants. Compact and cheerful, it produces dense clusters of small, long-lasting flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, or white, held above thick, waxy, scalloped leaves. It’s a succulent — drought-tolerant between waterings — and with a little patience it can be rebloomed year after year.
Pet safety warning: Kalanchoe is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains bufadienolides (cardiac glycosides) that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and in cases of significant ingestion, cardiac arrhythmia. Keep it out of reach of pets and children. If ingestion is suspected, call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
How much light does a kalanchoe need?
Bright light is essential for blooming. Kalanchoe does best with several hours of bright indirect light — a south- or east-facing window is ideal. It can handle gentle morning direct sun, but harsh midday sun through south-facing glass can scorch the leaves. Insufficient light prevents flowering, makes the plant leggy, and weakens the foliage.
How often should you water a kalanchoe?
Water every 2 weeks, letting the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out before the next watering. Kalanchoe is a succulent and stores water in its fleshy leaves — overwatering is the primary killer. During and just after flowering it benefits from slightly more regular moisture; during winter it needs less. Always use well-draining succulent mix and never let the pot sit in water.
How do you get a kalanchoe to rebloom?
Kalanchoe is a short-day plant — flowering is triggered by long uninterrupted nights, mimicking the autumn shortening of days. After the current blooms finish, trim the spent flower stalks and let the plant rest for a few weeks. Then give it 6 weeks of short days: place it in a spot with 14 hours of complete darkness each night (a dark closet or box over the pot works). After 6 weeks, return to normal bright light. Buds will form within a few weeks and flowers should follow shortly after.
How do you propagate a kalanchoe?
Stem cuttings work well. Take a 3–4 inch cutting, let the cut end dry and callous for a day or two, then plant it in dry succulent mix. Keep it in bright indirect light and resist watering for the first week while roots establish. Leaf cuttings are less reliable for kalanchoe than for other succulents. Offsets, when they appear, can be detached and potted.
Is kalanchoe toxic to pets?
Yes — the ASPCA lists kalanchoe as toxic to cats and dogs. The toxic compounds are bufadienolides (a type of cardiac glycoside). Clinical signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhoea, and in serious cases, abnormal heart rhythm that can be fatal. This is not a plant to keep where pets can access it. Contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if ingestion occurs.