The Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, also known as “Widow’s Thrill,” is a popular succulent with vibrant, long-lasting flowers. It adds color indoors, especially during cooler months. Its ease of care contributes to its popularity.
Understanding the Widow’s Thrill Plant
The Widow’s Thrill is a compact, bushy succulent, growing 6 to 18 inches tall and spreading 6 to 19.5 inches wide. It features thick, glossy, dark green leaves with scalloped edges, growing in opposite pairs along the stems. Its striking clusters of small, four-petaled flowers emerge above the foliage in a wide spectrum of colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Originating from Madagascar, this perennial is well-suited for indoor cultivation in many climates.
Essential Care for Widow’s Thrill
Light
Widow’s Thrill plants thrive in bright, indirect light. A south- or west-facing window is often ideal, particularly during winter. While they can tolerate some direct sunlight, prolonged exposure to intense, direct sun, especially during summer afternoons, can scorch their leaves. Insufficient light may result in leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Watering
As a succulent, Widow’s Thrill stores water in its fleshy leaves, making it drought-tolerant. Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Check soil moisture by inserting a finger an inch or two deep; water thoroughly when dry until it drains from the pot’s bottom. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and stems, while underwatering may cause wilting.
Soil and Potting
Well-draining soil is important for Widow’s Thrill plants. A suitable potting mix is a blend designed for cacti or succulents, or a mixture of potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage. Pots should always have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Repotting every one to two years into a slightly larger container with good drainage promotes healthy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Widow’s Thrill plants prefer warm temperatures, ideally 60°F to 80°F. They are sensitive to cold and should be protected from temperatures below 50°F, as frost can be damaging. While unfussy about humidity, they tolerate moderate levels. High humidity, especially above 90 percent, can lead to yellowing leaves or damage to flower buds.
Fertilization
During the active growing season (spring to late fall), Widow’s Thrill plants benefit from regular fertilization. A balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20), diluted to half strength, can be applied every 2 to 4 weeks. Avoid over-fertilization, as it can result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering. Reduce or stop fertilization during winter months when plant growth slows.
Encouraging Abundant Blooms
To encourage re-blooming, understand that Widow’s Thrill is a short-day plant. Its blooming cycle is regulated by approximately 14 hours of darkness daily for 6 to 8 weeks. This darkness, along with cooler night temperatures (45-65°F) and daytime temperatures (50-70°F), initiates flower bud development. After flowers fade, deadheading by removing flower stalks encourages new growth and further flowering.
Propagating Widow’s Thrill
Widow’s Thrill propagates effectively using stem or leaf cuttings. For stem cuttings, select a healthy 2-4 inch stem, cut just above a leaf node, and remove lower leaves. Allow the cut end to dry and form a callus for a day or two before planting. Plant the callused cutting in a well-draining succulent or cactus mix, keeping soil lightly moist until roots develop (2-3 weeks). While leaf cuttings are possible, stem cuttings offer a higher success rate.
Addressing Common Problems
Widow’s Thrill plants are resilient, but can encounter pests or environmental stress. Common pests include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, identified by sticky residue, cottony masses, or fine webbing on foliage. Manage these pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Overwatering frequently causes root rot (mushy stems, yellowing leaves); ensure proper drainage and allow soil to dry between waterings to prevent this. Leggy growth indicates insufficient light; move the plant to a brighter location to correct.