Kalanchoe is a popular succulent houseplant known for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms. Proper watering is essential for its health and continued flowering. This guide explains how to water Kalanchoe plants correctly, helping them thrive.
Understanding Kalanchoe’s Unique Water Needs
Kalanchoe plants are succulents, characterized by thick, fleshy leaves and stems designed for water storage. This makes them highly drought-tolerant, an adaptation from their native arid environments in Africa and Madagascar. Their structure allows them to retain moisture for extended periods, making them vulnerable to excessive watering. Overwatering quickly leads to root issues, as their roots are not accustomed to prolonged moisture. Therefore, a less frequent but thorough watering approach aligns with their natural requirements.
How and When to Water Kalanchoe
To determine when to water Kalanchoe, use the “finger test”: insert your finger one to two inches deep into the soil. Water only when the soil feels completely dry to the touch, not merely damp. Some growers also look for subtle signs of thirst, such as slightly softer leaves, but avoid letting the plant become overly dehydrated.
When watering, saturate the soil until water drains from the pot’s bottom drainage holes. Discard any standing water in the saucer to prevent root rot. Bottom watering offers an alternative, allowing the plant to absorb water from below, promoting even saturation and deeper root growth. Regardless of the method, avoid getting water on the leaves, as persistent moisture can lead to fungal diseases.
Recognizing Watering Issues
Recognizing symptoms of improper watering is important for Kalanchoe health. Observing these indicators allows for timely adjustments to the watering routine, helping the plant recover.
Signs of Overwatering
Overwatering often presents as yellowing lower leaves, indicating root suffocation. Stems may become soft and mushy, with a foul odor or slimy roots signaling rot. Wilting, despite wet soil, can also occur because damaged roots cannot absorb water.
Signs of Underwatering
Conversely, an underwatered Kalanchoe shows crispy, dry, shriveled, or wrinkled leaves. Growth can be stunted, and the soil dry and compacted.
Factors Influencing Watering Frequency
Kalanchoe watering frequency varies based on several environmental and cultural factors. Light exposure significantly impacts water demand; plants in brighter sunlight use water more quickly than those in lower light. Higher temperatures and lower humidity accelerate evaporation, increasing the need for more frequent watering.
The type and size of the pot also influence watering frequency. Terracotta pots are porous, allowing moisture to evaporate faster than plastic or glazed containers, leading to quicker drying. Smaller pots dry out more rapidly than larger ones due to less soil volume.
Soil composition is also important; a well-draining succulent or cactus mix, often containing perlite or coarse sand, is ideal, as dense soil retains too much moisture. Watering needs change with the seasons; Kalanchoes require less water during their dormant winter period and more during active growth in spring and summer. Larger plants have greater water requirements than smaller ones.