Kalanchoe plants are popular houseplants, appreciated for their vibrant, long-lasting blooms and succulent-like qualities. Sometimes, these plants develop what is known as “legginess,” characterized by long, stretched stems with sparse foliage, often as the plant reaches for available light. Pruning is an effective method to address this leggy growth and encourage a more compact, bushier appearance.
Understanding Leggy Kalanchoe Growth
Kalanchoe plants become leggy due to insufficient light, a phenomenon known as etiolation. When light levels are inadequate, the plant elongates its stems and increases the distance between leaves in an attempt to find more light.
While lack of light is the primary cause, other factors can contribute to legginess. These include improper watering (either too much or too little) or a plant becoming root-bound in its container.
Optimal Timing for Pruning
The most favorable time to prune a leggy Kalanchoe is after its blooming period concludes, usually in late spring or early summer. Pruning at this time allows the plant to direct its energy into developing new vegetative growth rather than focusing on flower production. This timing supports robust recovery and a bushier form.
Avoid significant pruning during the plant’s active blooming phase, as this can interrupt the flowering cycle. Dormancy periods are also not ideal for pruning, as the plant’s recovery capabilities are reduced. Light pinching of spent blooms can be done at any time to encourage continuous flowering.
Step-by-Step Pruning for Leggy Kalanchoe
Before beginning, ensure your pruning shears or scissors are clean and sharp to make precise cuts and prevent disease. Sterilizing tools with rubbing alcohol before and after use is good practice.
Examine your Kalanchoe to identify leggy stems. These are the primary targets for pruning to restore the plant’s compact shape. Locate a leaf node or branching point along the leggy stem where new growth can emerge.
Make your cut just above this node or branching point, about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch above it, ensuring the cut is clean. This encourages the plant to produce new shoots from dormant buds at the node, leading to a bushier plant. For severely leggy plants, more drastic cuts can be made, removing up to one-third of the stem’s length. As you prune, consider the overall shape of the plant, aiming for a balanced form. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged foliage by cutting it back to the base of the plant.
After Pruning Care
Following pruning, your Kalanchoe needs specific care to recover and promote new growth. Reduce watering initially, as the plant’s reduced foliage will transpire less moisture. Allow the soil to dry out more thoroughly between waterings to prevent root issues during recovery.
Place the pruned Kalanchoe in bright, indirect light to support photosynthesis without overwhelming the recovering plant with intense direct sun. Avoid fertilizing immediately after pruning; wait a few weeks until you observe signs of new growth. This allows the plant to allocate its energy to healing and developing new shoots.
Keeping Your Kalanchoe Compact
To prevent future legginess and encourage a compact, bushy growth habit, provide adequate light. Position your Kalanchoe in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight for several hours daily, such as near a south-facing window.
Consistent watering is also important; allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Regularly rotate the pot every few weeks to ensure all sides of the plant receive even light exposure, preventing one-sided stretching. Lightly pinching back the tips of new growth occasionally can also encourage branching and maintain a dense form.