Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a vibrant and popular houseplant, cherished for its long-lasting and colorful flowers. These succulents display a wide array of bloom colors, adding cheer to any indoor space. While generally low-maintenance, Flaming Katy plants can sometimes become leggy or overgrown, losing their compact, bushy appearance over time. Addressing this helps maintain the plant’s health and aesthetic appeal.
Why Flaming Katy Becomes Overgrown
Flaming Katy plants naturally elongate their stems as they mature, especially after flowering, leading to a less compact form. Insufficient light is a primary factor leading to leggy growth, causing the plant to stretch its stems in search of more intense light, a phenomenon known as etiolation. This results in stretched, thin stems and sparse leaves.
Older plants may direct more energy into stem elongation rather than dense foliage or abundant blooms, contributing to an overgrown appearance. Lack of regular pruning allows the plant to grow outwards and upwards without structure, leading to an unbalanced shape. Both underwatering and overwatering can contribute to legginess by stressing the plant and affecting nutrient absorption.
Pruning an Overgrown Flaming Katy
The best time to prune an overgrown Flaming Katy is after its main flowering period, typically in late winter or early spring. This allows the plant to recover and direct energy into new growth and future blooms. Always use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors for precise cuts, preventing damage and disease. Disinfect tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution before and after use.
First, remove any dead, yellowing, or diseased stems and leaves. To reduce legginess, cut back long, stretched stems by about one-third of their length. Make cuts just above a leaf node, where a leaf or branch emerges, to encourage new, bushier growth. For shaping, trim outer growth for a more compact, aesthetically pleasing form, ensuring even light exposure. Regularly remove faded flowers (deadheading) to redirect the plant’s energy from seed production into foliage growth and future blooms.
Ongoing Care to Prevent Overgrowth
Adequate light prevents Flaming Katy from becoming leggy. They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, ideally six to eight hours daily. A south or west-facing window is often suitable, but protect from intense midday sun to avoid scorching leaves. Consistent light exposure encourages compact growth and abundant flowering.
Proper watering also contributes to a healthy, compact plant. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; Kalanchoe is a succulent susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Typically, about one inch of water per week is sufficient. During the growing season, a balanced, diluted fertilizer supports healthy growth without excessive stem elongation.
Ensure the plant is in an appropriately sized pot with good drainage. A pot one to two inches wider than the root ball is generally sufficient, as larger pots can retain excess moisture. Regular maintenance pruning, like pinching back new growth tips every two to three months, encourages branching and maintains a bushy, compact shape. Rotating the plant periodically ensures even light exposure on all sides, promoting symmetrical growth.