Light: Kalanchoe can tolerate a broad spectrum of lighting, but do best in bright areas of your home. Kalanchoe are light accumulators, meaning that they build up light energy in order to flower.

Temperature: 60-80 F

Humidity: low

Water: Water when the top 2-4” of potting mix feels dry. You may only need to water 1-2 times each month (in winter even less).

Repotting: Repot as necessary every 1-4 years. You may not need to upgrade container size, just refresh potting mix. Growth rate is determined by your plants water and light availability.

Rather than using a “cactus and succulent” potting mix that has no water retention, I encourage the use of fresh general purpose mix in combination with a sparing watering routine.

Fertilizing: Either…

1. Water Application: Incorporate fertilizer into your watering cycle once per year. Dilute an all purpose fertilizer (20-20-20) by half OR use your favorite fertilizer rated for houseplant use in your water.

2. Slow Release: Incorporate slow release fertilizer pellets into the top inch of potting soil every 6 months. Apply the rate indicated for indoor plants on the label. If no recommendation for houseplants is present, apply 1/4 to 1/2 the listed rate.

The Crassulaceae family houses many succulent genera including jade plant, echeveria and hen-and-chicks.

(Listed in order of commonality…)

• Root decay caused by overwatering

• Mealybugs

• Soft brown scale

• Lack of flowering in K. blossfeldiana due to low light levels.

Is kalanchoe pet safe?

No; kalanchoe contains cardiac glycosides in its tissues, which can cause heart issues in humans and animals. It is used in small levels in medications to treat certain heart problems, but can easily cause a problem if over-consumed by a pet. Keep kalanchoe away.