The Kalanchoe plant, often sold as a colorful, long-lasting gift, is a popular choice for adding a burst of color to indoor spaces. While its thick, succulent leaves make it durable and easy to maintain as a green houseplant, the primary challenge for home growers is getting it to rebloom after the initial flowers fade. This plant is naturally timed to flower in the winter when day length is short, and replicating that specific environmental signal is the key to achieving continuous flowering. By understanding the plant’s unique biological needs, you can provide the specific care and conditions required to enjoy its vibrant blooms multiple times a year.
Preparing the Plant After Initial Flowering
Once the Kalanchoe’s initial flower clusters begin to fade and turn brown, the first step is to remove the spent blooms, a process known as deadheading. Deadheading the old flowers conserves the plant’s energy, redirecting it away from seed production and toward developing healthy vegetative growth. Use a clean, sharp shear or simply pinch off the faded flower stalks where they meet the foliage.
After removing the spent flowers, light pruning encourages a more compact and bushier shape for the next bloom cycle. If stems have become long or “leggy” while reaching for light, cut them back by up to one-third of their length. Make the cut just above a leaf node to stimulate branching and a fuller structure. This preparation phase allows the plant to rest and gather energy before forcing the next round of flower buds.
Triggering New Flower Buds
The Kalanchoe is a short-day plant, meaning its flowering is dependent on the duration of uninterrupted darkness it receives. To initiate new flower buds, the plant must experience a period of extended, continuous darkness each night. This simulated winter cycle requires about 14 hours of complete darkness daily.
This darkness period must be maintained for six to eight weeks to signal the plant to produce blooms. Even a brief flash of light from a street lamp, hallway light, or television can interrupt the cycle and prevent flowering. To achieve this, move the plant into a completely dark space, such as a closet, or cover it with an opaque box or thick cloth for the required 14 hours every evening.
During the daytime, the plant still needs bright, indirect light for roughly 10 hours to conduct photosynthesis. After the six to eight weeks of controlled light and darkness, return the Kalanchoe to its normal bright light location and resume standard care. Flower buds should begin to appear within a few weeks, followed shortly by the full bloom.
Essential Ongoing Care for Sustained Health
Successful reblooming relies on a vigorous and healthy plant, achieved through consistent general care. As a succulent, the Kalanchoe stores water in its leaves, making it highly susceptible to root rot from overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings before soaking it thoroughly, ensuring all excess water drains away from the pot.
The plant thrives best in average household temperatures, preferring 65–75°F during the day and slightly cooler temperatures (55–65°F) at night. Keep the Kalanchoe away from cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents, as well as direct heat sources, which can stress the foliage. Providing bright, indirect light is necessary for healthy leaf growth outside of the dark-cycle period.
Fertilization should be managed carefully, using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feed the plant every four to six weeks during its active growth period in the spring and summer. Reduce or stop fertilization entirely during the fall and winter months, especially when forcing the plant to set buds, as adding nutrients at the wrong time encourages leaf growth instead of flower production.