Kalanchoe Care Guide: How to Grow & Rebloom Kalanchoe Plants

About Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is one of the most cheerful and long-blooming succulent houseplants available, producing clusters of small, brightly colored flowers in red, orange, yellow, pink, and white that can last for weeks. Native to Madagascar, Kalanchoe is a succulent that stores water in its thick leaves, making it drought-tolerant and easy to care for. It's a popular gift plant and a wonderful addition to sunny windowsills.

Light Requirements

Kalanchoe needs bright light to thrive and bloom. A south or east-facing windowsill with several hours of direct sun is ideal. In lower light, the plant becomes leggy and produces fewer flowers. If natural light is limited, a grow light can supplement effectively. Good light is the single most important factor for getting Kalanchoe to rebloom.

Watering

As a succulent, Kalanchoe prefers to dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, then allow excess to drain completely. In winter during dormancy, reduce watering to once every 3–4 weeks. Overwatering is the most common cause of Kalanchoe decline — always err on the side of underwatering.

Soil & Potting

Use a well-draining cactus and succulent mix, or amend regular potting soil with 50% perlite. Kalanchoe has a compact root system and prefers slightly rootbound conditions. Repot every 2 years in spring if needed. Always use pots with drainage holes — never let Kalanchoe sit in standing water.

Temperature & Humidity

Kalanchoe prefers temperatures between 60–85°F (15–29°C) and is sensitive to frost. It tolerates average household humidity well and doesn't require misting. Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents which can dry out the foliage.

Fertilizing

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during spring and summer. When buds are forming, switch to a high-phosphorus fertilizer to support blooming. Do not fertilize during dormancy in fall and winter.

How to Get Kalanchoe to Rebloom

Kalanchoe is a short-day plant — it needs long nights (14+ hours of darkness) to trigger blooming. After the current blooms fade, give the plant a 6-week dark period: place it in a dark room or cover with a box for 14 hours each night, then return to bright light for 10 hours. After 6 weeks, resume normal care and buds should form within 3–4 weeks.

Common Problems

• Leggy growth: Insufficient light. Move to the brightest spot available.
• No reblooming: Skipping the dark period. Follow the 6-week short-day treatment.
• Soft, mushy stems: Root rot from overwatering. Reduce watering and improve drainage.
• Mealybugs: White cottony clusters. Treat with rubbing alcohol or neem oil.

Popular Kalanchoe Varieties

• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana — the classic flowering Kalanchoe, available in many colors
• Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) — fuzzy silver leaves with brown tips, grown for foliage
• Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mother of Thousands) — produces tiny plantlets along leaf edges

Shop our succulent and flowering plant collection at Izzy's Tropicals for beautiful Kalanchoe varieties.