The Calandiva is a popular flowering succulent, a cultivated variety often sold as a temporary gift plant. This double-flowered cultivar features dense clusters of blooms that resemble miniature roses, available in vibrant colors like red, pink, and orange. Because it is frequently encountered during the late winter and spring, many people are unsure if this plant is meant to be a short-lived seasonal decoration or a long-term addition to the home. Its ability to thrive in controlled environments makes its long-term care a common question for new owners.
Defining the Calandiva Environment
The Calandiva is a tropical succulent native to Madagascar, which informs its environmental needs. The plant has a low tolerance for cold temperatures and must be kept between 60°F and 75°F to thrive. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50°F will cause damage to the foliage and inhibit growth. This means it cannot survive year-round outdoors in most climates. The Calandiva is classified as an indoor houseplant for anyone living outside of USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12, where frost is uncommon.
Essential Indoor Care Requirements
Providing bright, indirect light is necessary to maintain the Calandiva’s health and encourage future blooms. An east- or south-facing window that receives filtered light is ideal, as intense, direct afternoon sun can scorch the plant’s fleshy leaves. If light levels are too low, the plant will become spindly and the flower buds may not open fully.
As a succulent, the Calandiva stores water in its thick leaves, making it susceptible to root rot from overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then discard any excess water immediately. Keep the plant away from cold drafts or direct heat sources like vents.
Seasonal Outdoor Placement
In regions with warm summers, the Calandiva can be moved outdoors temporarily to benefit from natural light and fresh air. This transition should only occur once all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55°F. The plant must be slowly introduced to the outdoor environment over one to two weeks, a process known as hardening off, to prevent leaf burn.
The best outdoor location provides partial shade, such as a covered porch or a spot that only receives gentle morning sun. Excessive exposure to the afternoon sun will damage the leaves. Bring the plant back inside before the ambient temperature drops below the 50°F threshold in the early autumn. Leaving the plant outside too long will cause irreversible cold damage.
Encouraging Reblooming
Calandivas are short-day plants, meaning their flowering is triggered by an extended period of darkness. To encourage reblooming, simulate the shorter days of late fall and winter. This requires a strict routine of 12 to 14 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness every night for six weeks.
Achieve total darkness by placing the potted plant inside a closet, under a box, or in a completely dark room. During the day, the plant still needs 8 to 10 hours of bright, indirect light to photosynthesize and generate energy for blooming. Once new flower buds form, the plant can be returned to its normal indoor location, and the darkness treatment is no longer needed.