How To Propagate Kalanchoe Succulent

Growing kalanchoe plants from cuttings is enjoyable. The vegetative stems root the quickest and yield the best plants. Remove the bottom couple of leaves from a 2- to 3-inch (5-7.5 cm) piece. To create a callus on the end, let the cutting to dry out in a warm, dry environment.

Up to the first leaf, bury the cutting in peat and perlite that have been pre-moistened. Create a little terrarium by covering the entire pot in plastic to keep the moisture in. Put the plant in a window with good indirect lighting. In 14 to 21 days, cuttings will root and be prepared for transplantation.

How long does it take a kalanchoe to grow in water?

The way that kalanchoe are propagated is very typical for all succulents. They can be best multiplied through stem cuttings or offsets, which typically take 15 to 20 days to root.

Step 1: Take the Cutting

Kalanchoes can be propagated at their best in the spring or summer. It normally won’t have any blossoms at this point, indicating that it is busy saving energy for the upcoming bloom. That implies that you can use propagation to steer some of the energy toward new growth.

The stem you choose should be mature and in good health, but not in bloom. It must have at least two leaves and be a couple inches long. Make a clean cut right above a leaf or stem node with your knife or clippers.

If you’re using an offset for propagation, carefully cut it off where it connects to the parent plant. It needs to have at least a few leaves to survive, just like the stem cuttings do.

You can use propagation as an excuse to nip back those lanky stems because kalanchoe is prone to etiolation. By doing this, you’ll be able to cut the perfect stem while also removing the plant’s ugly sections.

Simply cut the stem where the leggy growth starts at the base. After that, prepare the cutting for propagation by removing the lower leaves and, if necessary, pruning the bottom. The parent plant will grow again from the stem’s cut end.

Step 2: Let it Dry

You must allow it to dry after you have your cutting. The cutting will get calloused where the stem was sliced, keeping it safe from decay and illness. This will require one to three days, depending on how thick the stem is.

Dip the cutting’s end in a rooting hormone powder to encourage quick and healthy roots. Once the wound has calloused, this should be done.

Step 3: Plant

A soil mixture that drains efficiently and fast is required for succulents. They detest sitting in water since doing so frequently causes root rot. Succulent and cactus-specific soil is readily available practically everywhere. Alternatively, you can use peat moss and sand in a 2:1 soil mixture (coconut coir and perlite work also). The ratio should be adjusted so that when the soil is watered, it becomes moist but not drenched.

If the pot is large enough, many kalanchoe plants can be planted in it. But bear in mind that these young cuttings will develop and require room to do so. Choose a pot and fill it with damp soil.

Your kalanchoe cutting will truly take off in a humid environment. Put a clear plastic bag over the container to add more moisture for your plant. When the cutting is actively growing, remove the bag and poke a few holes or slits in it to allow airflow.

Step 4: Grow!

Put your cutting in an area with bright, filtered light. Usually, the ideal place in the house for succulents is a south-facing window. However, because the leaves of kalanchoe plants are susceptible to sunburn, keep them out of direct sunlight. Always maintain a temperature of at least 50 F.

Using a spray bottle or light watering, keep the soil moist. Only water your kalanchoe cutting when the ground is beginning to dry out. You can start taking care of your cutting like you would a fully grown kalanchoe once the cutting has developed roots and you detect stem/leaf growth.

Do kalanchoes prefer the hot sun?

In broad sun and on well-drained potting soil, kalanchoe thrives. Kalanchoe can easily withstand high indoor light levels. However, in low light situations, plants often become spindly. If you overwater kalanchoe, it could suffer damage. Between waterings, allow the soil to gently dry out. Every month, fertilize living things that are actively growing with any indoor plant fertilizer. 45–65°F at night and 50–70°F during the day are the ideal ranges. Flowers live longer under cool nighttime temperatures.

The inside will shine with this Kalanchoe (Kalanchoeblossfeldiana) cultivar with orange flowers. Clemson Extension’s Barbara H. Smith, HGIC

Can leaves be used to grow kalanchoe?

The kalanchoe plant (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) responds to the shorter winter days by producing clusters of white to pink blossoms in the winter as well as the spring. Although these succulents may be grown from seeds in both indoor pots and outdoor gardens, it is more easier and quicker to cultivate fresh kalanchoe plants from leaves.

In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, the ability of a new kalanchoe to sprout from a leaf allows the plant to reproduce successfully without producing energy-intensive seed pods.

How are kalanchoes kept from blooming?

The Best Way to Make a Kalanchoe Bloom

  • Warm up the plant.
  • Water your plants frequently, but steer clear of damp ground.
  • Give the plant fertilizer.
  • If the weather is suitable, move the plant outside.
  • Remove any faded blooms.
  • Winterize the plant by bringing it inside.
  • Create an idle period of six weeks.
  • Resuming routine care.

How may leggy kalanchoe be prevented?

One of the main causes of a Kalanchoe plant’s lanky appearance and excessive growth is that it is not getting enough sunlight to support healthy growth. Etiolation is the term for this action. This is a typical problem with indoor succulents like Kalanchoe plants. The Kalanchoe plant will start to strive for the sun, looking lanky and a little scraggly.

If you want the Kalanchoe plant to stop reaching for the sun, move it to a location with more natural light. The plant may appear “fuller” as a result of this contributing to the development of healthier buds and blooms.

If your kalanchoe appears leggy while receiving enough of sunshine, the leggy appearance may be the result of an excessive number of dead blossoms. The Kalanchoe plant may stop growing in a healthy way if dead flower branches are still linked to it. From the plant’s crown downward, prune the kalanchoe to remove any branches, blooms, or leaves that are dead. This enables the plant to concentrate its resources on strong, fresh growth.

When your Kalanchoe plant starts to seem a little lanky, check the moisture level in the soil. Test the soil with your finger every few days; when it has completely dried, you can water it again. Both root rot and wilting, which both hinder healthy growth, can be caused by either overwatering or underwatering.

When should Kalanchoe plants be watered?

  • By cutting off portions and planting them in the ground, you can grow more kalanchoes.
  • To encourage a rebloom, keep kalanchoe in the dark for 14 hours each day.

You know those beautiful plants in the grocery store or garden center with the rubbery leaves that keep catching your attention? It’s likely a kalanchoe, also known botanically as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, which is pronounced “kal-an-coe-ee.” It’s a great option if you want a low-maintenance houseplant that provides you with both lovely greenery and vibrant blossoms. In addition to blooming for a very long time, kalanchoe plants also aid to filter indoor air. In a nutshell, it’s a fantastic plant!

Where to Grow Kalanchoes

Give kalanchoes that are kept as indoor plants the brightest light you can for as long as you can because they love the sun. Although a west-facing window will do, a south-facing window is preferable. Keeping kalanchoes away from drafty windows and doors is important since they dislike the cold.

For the summer, why not bring your beloved kalanchoe outside? Set it outside where it will receive morning sun but protection from the harsh afternoon sun once the temperature at night is above 65 degrees F. (which are a bit too intense for plants used to softer indoor light). Bring your kalanchoe back inside once the weather starts to cool off once more.

How to Plant a Kalanchoe

1. Pick a pot that is no broader than the root ball of your fresh kalanchoe by more than 2 inches. Ensure that it has drainage holes as well.

2. Add Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix, which offers the superior drainage your new plant baby needs, along with some food to help it start growing strong, to the pot until it is about 1/3 full.

3. Carefully take the kalanchoe out of its container and set it in the new one so that the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim (to leave room for watering).

4. Add more potting soil and carefully massage it into the area around the root ball.

5. Give your kalanchoe plenty of water, let it drain, and then relocate it. To prevent moisture from dripping onto your furniture, make sure to set the pot on a saucer.

How to Water a Kalanchoe

Since kalanchoes are succulents, they don’t require consistently moist soil because they store water in their leaves. In fact, you don’t want the stem of your new kalanchoe to decay because it will happen in wet soils. Watering kalanchoes is best done by poking your finger into the soil every few days. It’s time to water when the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry (not just somewhat dry). If you’re watering indoor plants, you usually only need to do it every two or three weeks, but be sure to check often. When growing kalanchoe outdoors in the summer, be sure to transfer it indoors if the weather prediction calls for several inches of rain. It’s important to keep in mind that the plant will develop more slowly in the winter, requiring fewer waterings overall.

How to Feed a Kalanchoe

Your kalanchoe needs to be fed, just like you do, in order to be healthy. After a month of planting, it will begin to growl in hunger. What follows will sate its craving: Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food is a specially developed product that gives succulent plants exactly the proper kind and amount of nutrition straight away. Apply only as usual, directly to the soil and water. For smaller pots, use two pumps; for larger pots, use five pumps (over 6 inches in diameter). Remember to read and abide by the instructions!

How to Grow More Kalanchoes

Like many succulents, kalanchoes are incredibly simple to propagate, which is just a fancy phrase for growing additional plants from your original. Simply break off a portion of leafy stem (not a flower stem) and place it in a pot of dry soil after letting it dry out for a few days. You can start watering when you notice new leaves forming at the base of the stem or leaf and the tiny plants resist a little when you give them a gentle tug (which indicates they have formed roots). The outcome? a ton of awesome gifts for your friends that you can give for free.

How to Prune a Kalanchoe

The main reason you should prune your kalanchoe is to keep it neat. Deadheading is the practice of removing flowers after they have dried, along with any stems or leaves that are wilted or browned. Once it has finished blooming, you might also want to give your plant friend a size and form cut. Feel free to trim each stem back to just above a leaf if it becomes too lanky or becomes too large for their container; they will grow back.

How to Get a Kalanchoe to Rebloom

This small science experiment is entertaining! Similar to an amaryllis, kalanchoe plants require at least 14 hours of darkness every day for six weeks in order to flower. Reduce watering and feeding during the overnight period (6 PM to 8 AM) and place it in a closet or cupboard. You ought to start to notice the first signs of vibrant blooms after six weeks. After that, you can resume leaving your kalanchoe outside at night. Of course, you can always start afresh with a new plant that is in bloom if this seems like too much trouble.

Must you remove the dead flowers from the kalanchoe?

For xeriscaped and drought-tolerant gardens, kalanchoes offer both bright flowers and vegetative appeal. Native to Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and Africa, these succulent plants have spread throughout much of Southern California. In your garden, naturalized variety are just as attractive as speciality plants from the nursery. There are shrubby kinds with thin, glossy, ovate leaves and chunky kalanchoes with thick, succulent leaves. The blooms range from lengthy panicles of bell-shaped flowers to clusters of tiny, vividly colored flowers. Kalanchoes should be pruned to promote repeat blooming as well as to remove any dead or damaged branches and shape the plant. The most crucial reason to prune kalanchoes may be to limit their spread because they grow swiftly and easily, especially in dry, frost-free areas.

How large can a kalanchoe grow?

Kalanchoe, one of the most adaptable succulents, is renowned for its attractive foliage and vividly colorful flowers. A low-maintenance focal point in a sunny border or container is kalanchoe. Some types also make excellent gifts because they may be bought in full bloom all winter long to be planted indoors. Even when the plant is not in flower, kalanchoe’s large, oval-shaped leaves still add interest and color. They grow 8 to 12 inches tall. Flowers might be yellow, pink, red, or white in hue. Hardy in zones 10 and 11.

Kalanchoe Concerns Send us an email, and one of our succulent specialists will respond.

Kalanchoe: A succulent or not?

Succulent plants called kalanchoes are frequently grown for their tiny, vibrant flowers. The most well-known is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, also called the panda plant, flaming Katy, or widow’s thrill. They are well-known indoor plants that are planted for their vivid blossoms, which come in colors of red, magenta, yellow, orange, and white.

Robert Blossfeld, who discovered the plant in its native Madagascar, is remembered by the name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. They grow in arid environments in their natural habitat, therefore they don’t require much watering. They flower for around eight weeks and require very little upkeep. The plants are frequently presented as gifts and are widely accessible in supermarkets, garden centers, and florists. After they bloom, many people throw them away. The good news is that with a little work, they can be made to bloom once more.

The double flowers on calandiva persist a little longer and are a little bigger. From Kalanchoe blossfeldiana they were bred.

In addition, several varieties of kalanchoe are planted for their lovely leaves rather than their flowers. Among them are the colorful and unique paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) and the dust plant with powdery leaves (Kalanchoe pumila).