The pink kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a popular indoor plant, known for its vibrant blooms and succulent foliage. While generally easy to care for, it thrives and flowers consistently with specific environmental conditions. Its water-storing leaves are characteristic of its succulent nature, adapting it to drier conditions.
Essential Care Requirements
Pink kalanchoes thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place them near a south or west-facing window to ensure ample light without harsh direct sun, which can scorch leaves. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth and poor flowering.
Watering correctly is important for these succulents, which store water in their leaves. Use the “soak and dry” method: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry completely before watering thoroughly. Overwatering causes root rot, leading to yellow or mushy leaves. Underwatering can cause leaves to wilt or shrivel, but kalanchoes tolerate dryness better than excess water.
Pink kalanchoes need a well-draining soil mix, typically a succulent or cactus blend. Good drainage prevents waterlogged roots and rot. Adding perlite or sand enhances drainage. Clay pots also wick away excess moisture.
Stable temperatures, ideally 55-85°F, are preferred. Avoid cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F, which cause damage. They adapt well to average indoor humidity; no special requirements like misting are needed.
Fertilize for growth and flowering during the active season (spring through summer). Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, every 2-4 weeks. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows. Over-fertilizing can cause excessive foliage at the expense of blooms.
Encouraging Rebloom
To encourage rebloom, mimic the plant’s natural light cycle; it’s a “short-day” plant. It needs extended daily darkness to initiate flower buds. Provide 14-16 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily for 6-8 weeks. Place the plant in a dark closet or cover it with a box from late afternoon until morning.
During this dark period, ensure 8-10 hours of bright, indirect light. Consistency is important; brief light exposure during darkness disrupts budding. Maintain ideal temperatures, with cooler nights (50-60°F) during reblooming to prolong flower life.
Reduce watering during reblooming, allowing soil to dry more thoroughly. Once buds appear (after 6-8 weeks), return the plant to its regular light and watering schedule. This signals the plant to produce new blooms.
Common Issues and Solutions
Yellowing or mushy leaves often signal overwatering or poor drainage. This leads to root rot and plant decline. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings and ensure adequate drainage holes.
Wilting or shriveling leaves indicate underwatering, though kalanchoes are drought-tolerant. If dehydrated, check soil moisture and water thoroughly, ensuring drainage. Lack of blooms often stems from insufficient light or failure to provide short-day treatment for reblooming.
Leggy growth (long, stretched stems with sparse foliage) results from insufficient light. Move the kalanchoe to a brighter, indirect light location. Pests like aphids and mealybugs appear as small insects or cottony masses on leaves and stems. Manage them by manual removal with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or by applying insecticidal soap.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning maintains the pink kalanchoe’s shape and encourages new growth. Deadhead spent blooms by pinching or snipping faded flowers. This redirects energy to new flowers and foliage, promoting a tidier appearance and more blooms.
After flowering, cut stalks back to the second or third leaf below old blooms. This encourages branching for a fuller, bushier plant. For leggy growth from insufficient light, prune stems to a desirable length. Always cut just above a leaf node, where new growth emerges. Regular removal of yellowing or damaged leaves also contributes to health and appearance.