Kalanchoe (genus Kalanchoe) is a succulent plant genus with roughly 120 species in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). The majority of the species are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa, and several of them are well-known for their ease of cultivation inside. Kalanchoes are relatively low-maintenance houseplants, requiring only a little direct sunlight (though they will tolerate harsh indirect light) and watering only when completely dry. Leaf or stem cuttings can be used to reproduce all species.
What is kalanchoe used for?
Kalanchoe species have traditionally been used to treat infections, rheumatism, and inflammation in traditional medicine. Kalanchoe extracts have immunosuppressive properties as well. Kalanchoe pinnata has been documented as a traditional therapy for hypertension in Trinidad and Tobago.
Various Kalanchoe species have yielded a range of bufadienolide chemicals. Kalanchoe daigremontiana has produced five distinct bufadienolides. Daigremontianin and bersaldegenin 1,3,5-orthoacetate, two of them, have been found to have a sedative effect. They also have a strong positive inotropic effect, similar to cardiac glycosides, and a growing influence on the central nervous system with higher doses.
Bryophillin A, a bufadienolide substance isolated from Kalanchoe pinnata, had considerable anti-tumor promoting action, while bersaldegenin-3-acetate and bryophillin C were less active. Insecticidal activities were also discovered in Bryophillin C.
Is kalanchoe indoor or outdoor plant?
One of the more attractive flowering succulent houseplants, Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp. ), is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12. If properly cared for, they can produce months of brilliant flowers when kept inside.
How long do kalanchoe plants live?
As long as you provide adequate nutrients and water for your kalanchoe to thrive, it will continue to grow. These plants can live for six or seven years, but they can get lanky in pots as they become older.
Is kalanchoe an indoor plant?
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a popular houseplant that is usually sold in the late winter and early spring. It’s a long-lasting flowering potted plant that requires very little care in the home or office. It has small, four-petaled flowers in clusters held above the foliage and dark green, thick waxy leaves with scalloped edges. It also comes in a double-flowering variant with up to 26 petals per bloom. Kalanchoe flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, and white. It is endemic to Madagascar and was introduced in 1932 by German hybridizer Robert Blossfeld.
Is Kalanchoe toxic to humans?
Succulents such as Kalanchoe and Euphorbia can be poisonous to humans. Even non-toxic succulents should be kept out of reach of youngsters and pets as a general rule with all house plants.
What are the health benefits of Kalanchoe pinnata?
Note: The instances of conventional knowledge provided here are merely indicative/illustrative. Herbal practices similar to the ones listed below could have come from people in the same or different sections of the country.
Susanta Kumar Manjhi of Birbhum, West Bengal, puts two drops of the juice produced from the leaves in her eyes.
The juice collected from the leaves is taken orally in two spoonfuls.
Birbhum, West Bengal’s Susanta Kumar Manjhi
The juice of the leaves is given together with black pepper powder till the disease is cured.
– Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh’s Arunkumar Pandey
Arun Ghosh, Bankura, West Bengal: Topical use of leaf paste helps to stop bleeding.
Priyanka Pramanik, Purulia, West Bengal, applies leaf paste on the painful part.
Arunkumar Pandey, Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, says that the juice of the leaves is taken orally with black pepper powder.
Bikesh Kumar, Sitamarhi, Bihar, grinds the leaves (5-6) with some sugar candy and administers the sap orally.
How often should I water kalanchoe?
Kalanchoes are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves and don’t require continual moisture in the soil. Waterlogged soils will actually cause the stem of your young kalanchoe to rot, which is something you don’t want! Sticking your finger in the dirt every few days is the best way to water a kalanchoe. It’s time to water when the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry (not simply partly dry). Indoors, this means you’ll probably only need to water every 2 or 3 weeks, but keep an eye on it. If the prediction calls for several inches of rain during the summer, be sure to move your kalanchoe undercover. It’s also worth noting that it will grow more slowly in the winter, resulting in even longer time between waterings.
Is kalanchoe a lucky plant?
- The plant’s stalk should be erect, and the blossoms should not be drooping. Choose one with abundant foliage and blooms, as well as no brown edges to its leaves and petals.
These pots are embellished with golden monkey figurines and plush toys. Fittonias and zamioculcas, sometimes known as the Gold Coin plant, are among the plants used in each pot, which are a mix of indoor and festive plants.
Spring is here, so let’s celebrate with some lovely sakura. This small bonsai would look great on a table. Unlike the typical blossoms on large trees, which are spread out, its pink flowers develop in clusters.
These orchids appear to be sprouting gold coins with their small yellow petals.
Daisies-like flowers bloom in an auspicious bright-orange hue on this plant. After nursery World Farm sold out of its 100 pots last year, the hot favorite, which is grown in Singapore, is returning with more pots for sale. There are now 500 pots available.
Far East Flora has brought in additional red cymbidiums, often known as boat orchids, this year. These flowers are prized for their enormous, exquisite blooms. It was given the Chinese name hong pao, which means red cracker, because of its color. Yellow cymbidiums, also known as huang jing, or yellow gold in Mandarin, have a similarly auspicious sounding name.
Monkey Cups is a common name for this tropical pitcher plant because monkeys have been witnessed drinking the liquid collected in the pitchers. Long cups have been compared to money bags (called qian dai in Mandarin). It is claimed that the more pitchers a plant has, the better its owner’s luck and fortune will be.
Candy Floriculture, 567 Thomson Road, tel: 6256-6788, and World Farm, 15 Bah Soon Pah Road, tel: 6257-4437, are the two locations.
This adorable cartoon monkey-shaped pot, which comes in a variety of colors, gets two thumbs up. Plants like pussy willows or phalaenopsis orchids can be used to fill it.
Chrysanthemums are an auspicious option for the season, with their vivid gold or purple hues. Longevity is associated with the plant, while gold flowers are associated with wealth and prosperity.
It thrives in shady or shaded regions away from the sun. Water the plant twice a day until the water runs clear from the bottom of the pot. Because the blossoms are delicate, avoid watering them directly.
The kalanchoe, also known as wan zi qian hong (literally, “thousands and millions of crimson and purple blossoms”), is a simple plant that is thought to bring wealth and success.
The succulent, which has clusters of flowers, does well indoors and enjoys indirect light. It only has to be watered once a week and should not be left in moist soil since its roots will decay. To keep pests at bay, use pesticides like cypermethrin or malathion on a regular basis.
The emerald green leaves of this South African native, also known as crassula, are in high demand because they approximate the shape of a jade stone. The plant is seen as a sign of good fortune, wealth, and prosperity. It only takes a small amount of moisture – every other day, water lightly. It should be placed in a semi-shaded region.
Pussy willows herald the arrival of spring. If it’s in a vase, this plant with hairy buds, also known as catkins, has to be watered twice a week. Water it twice a week if it’s in a pot. Fresh water prolongs the life of the plant and avoids mosquito breeding.
Because of the hot environment in Singapore, the plant may struggle to produce new shoots after it blooms. It’s preferable to put it somewhere shady.
This plant, also known as hu die lan in Mandarin, is a popular celebratory plant because its petals resemble butterfly wings, symbolizing happiness, spring, energy, and longevity.
Drink plenty of water twice a day. Overwatering causes flowers to discolor or become transparent. Stop watering for a few days or lower the amount of water used if this happens.
Once a week, apply phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizers to the plant to maintain it healthy. Apply leafshine aerosols on the plant’s leaves to keep them shiny. Place these lovely blooms in a shady, cooler area to extend their lives.
The fortunate bamboo is the Chinese emblem for strength, bent, twisted, and twirled into many shapes such as the number eight. Red ribbons and auspicious decorations adorn the plant, and the quantity of bamboo stalks in each pot indicates different things. Two, for example, is seen to be a symbol of love, while seven is thought to be a symbol of good health.
It is a low-maintenance plant. Simply place the stems in clean, fresh water and secure them with pebbles. Every seven to ten days, change the water.
Gardenasia, World Farm, Far East Flora, and Sing See Soon Floral & Landscape are some of the sources.
How many times does kalanchoe bloom?
On a small, upright plant approximately 6-12 inches tall, kalanchoe flower heads bloom in vibrant oranges, pinks, yellow, red, and white. The flowers last for months, while the green plants look good all year.
The most popular kalanchoe variety is K. blossfeldana, although there are many more to select from, including pendant (hanging) variations and nonflowering cultivars grown for their distinctive leaf. The growing needs for all kalanchoes are the identical.
Kalanchoe Growing Tips
Kalanchoes are low-maintenance plants that thrive in low-humidity environments like winter homes. Choose Kalanchoe plants with a lot of unopened flower buds instead of ones that are fully bloomed, and be sure to offer them:
Kalanches require a lot of light in the winter, particularly from a south-facing window, and intense indirect light (from an east/west window) in the summer. It’s likely that your Kalanchoe plant isn’t getting enough light if it’s lanky and thin.
Soil: Kalanchoe plants thrive in a well-draining cactus and succulent potting mix, or add plenty of perlite or sand to promote drainage.
Temperature: Kalanchoes perform well in average household temperatures, although drafts should be avoided. Keep your kalanchoe above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Overwatering is the most common cause of kalanchoe death! Between waterings, let your kalanchoe dry out. Then, after properly watering until it runs out the bottom, empty the drainage tray. It’s never a good idea to leave the plant submerged in water.
Fertilizer: Feed your kalanchoe with a balanced organic fertilizer every few weeks while it is blooming.
Pots: Kalanchoes grow best in clay pots with a drainage tray that can be emptied. They’re little plants that don’t need to be repotted too often.
Summer care: In the summer, you can bring your kalanchoe outside, but make sure it is protected from the rain.
Kalanchoes can be propagated easily from stem or leaf cuttings. Plantlets are produced by some kinds, which can be removed and potted.
To keep your kalanchoe looking tidy, remove any wasted blossoms. Dust can also be removed by wiping or lightly spraying them.
How to Make Kalanchoe Bloom
Many people treat kalanchoes as annuals, discarding them once they’ve bloomed. It takes some discipline to get them to bloom again, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make your kalanchoes bloom on demand! Here are some suggestions for re-blooming your kalanchoe:
Flowering is Light-Dependent: Kalanchoes are photoperiodic, meaning they bloom in reaction to the length of the day. They blossom in the early springtime. Six weeks of simulated winter illumination conditions are required to force your plant to set bloom buds.
Put your plant in complete darkness for 14 hours a day and brilliant light for 10 hours a day for six weeks to simulate night. To obtain complete darkness, you can bring it in and out of a closet or use a cover. When you observe blossom buds opening after six weeks or so, you can move your plant back into regular light conditions and continue watering. Check out our articles on how to grow poinsettias and Christmas cactus for more information on photoperiodic blooming.