What is a kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a compact, flowering succulent from the Crassulaceae family, native to Madagascar. It’s one of the best-selling houseplants in the world for good reason: tight clusters of small, vivid flowers in red, orange, yellow, pink, or white hold for weeks above a rosette of thick, scallop-edged waxy leaves. Most people buy it in bloom from a garden centre and enjoy the show — the trick is getting it to flower again, which requires a little patience and some deliberate darkness.
How much light does a kalanchoe need?
Kalanchoe loves bright light with a few hours of direct sun. An east- or south-facing windowsill is ideal — morning sun is gentle enough not to scorch the leaves, and the overall brightness encourages compact growth. In very low light the plant stays alive but grows leggy and refuses to set flower buds. If your only windows face north, a grow light set to 10 hours a day works well.
How often should you water a kalanchoe?
As a succulent, kalanchoe wants thorough, infrequent watering — typically every 2–3 weeks, and even less in winter. The rule is simple: let the soil dry out completely, then water generously until it drains from the bottom, and empty the saucer. Leaves that feel softer or slightly wrinkled are asking for water; leaves that turn yellow or mushy at the base signal overwatering and root rot.
How do you get a kalanchoe to rebloom?
This is the question every kalanchoe owner eventually asks. The plant is a short-day photoperiod plant — it needs long, uninterrupted nights to form flower buds. To trigger reblooming:
- For 6 weeks in late summer or autumn, give it 14 hours of complete darkness each night and 10 hours of bright light each day. A dark closet or a cardboard box placed over the plant each evening works perfectly.
- Keep temperatures cool — around 60°F (15°C) during this period.
- After 6 weeks, return it to your brightest windowsill and resume normal watering. Buds should appear within 4–6 weeks.
It takes discipline but it works reliably.
Why is my kalanchoe getting leggy?
Leggy, elongated stems with wide gaps between leaves are almost always a light problem. The plant is stretching toward the nearest light source. Move it to a brighter spot — a windowsill with some direct morning sun is ideal. Prune leggy stems back to a healthy pair of leaves; the cuts will sprout new, compact growth. Once in better light, the plant will stay much tidier.
Is kalanchoe toxic to pets?
Yes — the ASPCA lists kalanchoe as toxic to cats and dogs. It contains bufadienolide cardiac glycosides that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and in large ingestions, heart-rhythm abnormalities. Keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets cannot access, and contact a vet immediately if you suspect your pet has chewed on it.