Florist's Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
A compact succulent from Madagascar with thick fleshy leaves and dense clusters of tiny four-petalled flowers in red, orange, yellow, pink, or white. Sold as a long-lasting flowering gift plant: blooms hold for 6 to 8 weeks. Often discarded after the first flush, but easily rebloomed by giving the plant 6 weeks of 14 hours of total darkness each night starting in October (a cupboard or a closed closet works fine). Stays compact at around 30 cm tall and makes a tidy windowsill plant once the show is over.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to Madagascar)
Light
Bright indirect light to morning direct sun
Bloom Time
Naturally late winter to early spring; year-round in commerce via light manipulation
Soil
Fast-draining cactus or succulent mix
Water
Only when the soil is fully dry. Like all succulents, overwatering is the main killer
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Cut a healthy stem 7 to 10 cm long, strip the lower leaves, let the cut callous for 24 hours, then plant in barely moist succulent mix. Single leaves also root: lay them flat on top of soil and they form roots and a tiny plantlet at the base in 4 to 6 weeks
Pruning / Splitting
Deadhead spent flower clusters at the base to keep the plant tidy and encourage a second flush
