The kalanchoe is a colorful succulent that may be found in many different kinds. Anyone who regularly kills plants because they lack a green thumb might benefit from having this succulent. Kalanchoes, fortunately, do not need a lot of attention and may thrive in neglect.
The kalanchoe is a plant that can be grown both indoors and out. However, it does require special attention and upkeep. Kalanchoes are simple to cultivate both inside and out, so long as you have a green thumb.
Have you ever taken care of Kalanchoes, either indoors or out? If you answered “no,” we’re pleased to provide you with the information you need to keep your outdoor or indoor Kalanchoes healthy for months on end.
Kalanchoes can be grown indoors
Since kalanchoe has winter blooms that persist for weeks, it is a favorite addition to many home gardeners’ collections. Kalanchoe is quite delicate and can’t handle temperatures below freezing. It thrives in controlled environments where the temperature is just right for its development.
Here, you will find all you need to know about caring for Kalanchoes inside so that you may answer this question for yourself.
Kalanchoes Indoor Care
Kalanchoe is commonly used as an indoor plant due to its ease of care and rapid growth in artificial lighting. It’s not hard to get Kalanchoes to thrive in a potted indoor environment. But, there are some changes you need do to guarantee the plants’ health and greater growth.
Sunlight
Kalanchoes can’t flourish unless they get lots of direct sunshine. Kalanchoes need to be placed in a spot with ample sunshine. Put your plants somewhere bright, preferably next to a window, so that they may get enough of sunshine throughout the day.
Keep your plants away from the windows on extremely hot days since the sun’s rays might scorch the foliage.
Indoor Lighting
Make sure your Kalanchoe plants enjoy at least a few hours of total darkness every day if you’re growing them indoors. You should dark-cycle your plants for 10-12 hours throughout the winter.
Consider placing your plants in a locked cabinet if turning off the lights is not an option. If you want greater blooms next season, you’ll need to keep them in the dark every night for two months. Water usage must also be reduced.
Type of Soil
Plants kept inside benefit from the organic potting soil. Combine potting soil and succulent mix at a ratio of 1 to 1. It’s best to utilize soil that has a greater sand percentage and less clay so water can flow away effectively.
Choosing the right pot
The size of the containers you use to cultivate your plants doesn’t matter. Your home’s available space is a major factor in this decision.
Growing in little pots is an option if you lack a suitable outside area. The containers need a drain to ensure that any surplus water may escape.
Temperature
The temperature at which Kalanchoes thrive is often around that of the room in which they are kept. If you’re relaxed in your own house, your Kalanchoes will be too. A temperature range of 10 to 30 degrees Celsius is ideal for plant growth.
Watering
Water your Kalanchoes weekly during the summer, but only for a few minutes each time. In the winter, water your plants sparingly every two weeks. Unlike some other plants, Kalanchoes don’t have a strict watering schedule. Your plants need water as soon as the top inch or two of the soil becomes dry.
Generally speaking, you should water your plants whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Don’t water it for another day if it’s still somewhat damp after that.
Don’t overwater, and make sure the soil can drain well so that water doesn’t pool. Root rot can be brought on by too much water.
Fertilization
Twice yearly, in the spring and summer, give your plants a healthy dosage of fertilizer. A tiny amount of fertilizer can be applied once a month. Because of their low nutrient requirements, kalanchoes can thrive with only a few applications of fertilizer.
Fertilizers that can be diluted in water should be used. Your Kalanchoes will stay healthy and blossom for longer if you fertilize them regularly.
Insect Pests
Unfortunately, insect pests can also be a problem for houseplants. Keep an eye out for pests coming in and getting around the house. Mealybugs, spider mites, scales, and aphids can cause significant damage to and even kill kalanchoes. Avoid plant failure by maintaining a clean environment and keeping a close eye out for pests.
Start trying to manage the infestation as soon as you notice the first insect pests adhering to the plants. Get rid of these creepy critters using neem oil or a non-toxic insecticidal spray.
Kalanchoe Outdoor Care
While Kalanchoes are often cultivated inside, they may be successfully grown outside in zones with moderate winters. It’s good news for anyone who chooses to grow their plants outside or in their own gardens.
Kalanchoe plants’ climatic requirements differ from species to species; therefore, it is important to verify whether or not the Kalanchoe you intend to grow can thrive in your area.
Kalanchoe is a succulent that thrives in warmer regions and may be grown outside year-round without watering. They may, therefore, be cultivated outside with the right attention and care.
Outdoor Sunlight
Kalanchoes thrive in either direct or indirect sunlight, so feel free to plant them outside in a sunny spot. While it’s true that Kalanchoes thrive in intense sunshine, this doesn’t imply they need to be exposed to it nonstop.
Plants need to be kept in the shade as much as possible. Tissue damage occurs when you put your Kalanchoes outside when the sun is too strong and the temperature is too high.
Soil type
Growing Kalanchoes indoors or out need exactly the same kind of soil. Outdoor cultivation of Kalanchoes requires nutrient-rich, peat-free, organic potting soil with good drainage. Sandier, less clayey soil is preferable for better drainage.
Pot Size
How big of a pot should be used for outdoor Kalanchoes? To avoid water damage, it’s best to store liquids in big containers with holes in the bottom for drainage. Never plant Kalanchoes in garden soil until all danger of frost has passed.
Temperature
The ideal environment for a kalanchoe plant is one that is either tropical or subtropical. They flourish in temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 30 degrees Celsius). Kalanchoes thrive in warm areas in full sun but prefer a partially shaded spot when planted outside.
But, these plants are extremely vulnerable to cold and must be brought indoors or under cover to avoid harm. The best way to protect these plants from the cold is to bring them inside or to a warmer location. It is a good idea to bring your plants indoors if the temperature drops significantly between day and night.
Kalanchoes are susceptible to sunburn and sunscald if left in direct sunlight for too long, especially in excessively warm locations.
Watering
Whether planted outside or in, they require just a bare minimum of water. Kalanchoes grown in the garden don’t require a lot of water, just enough to keep the soil wet. Growing Kalanchoe outside does not imply you need to water them more frequently.
When the top inch or two of soil has dried up, it’s time to water your plants. Kalanchoes, like houseplants, should not be overwatered; doing so can encourage the growth of moldy roots and eventually destroy the plant. The growth of kalanchoe is stunted by prolonged periods of drought.
Fertilization
Monthly fertilizer is recommended for outdoor Kalanchoe plants. When fertilizing your plants, choose something that dissolves in water.
Propagation
In the spring, you may propagate kalanchoes by cutting off 2- to 3-inch sections of stem or leaf. Additionally, keep them under dappled sunshine rather than full, direct sunlight.
The presence of pests and diseases
Kalanchoes are especially vulnerable to insect pests when grown outside. When grown outdoors, Kalanchoe is susceptible to a wide variety of pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites.
Honeydew or a wax-like substance on the leaves is a common indicator of insect pest infestation, as are discolored, brittle, or damaged leaves.
Use an insecticidal or neem oil spray to protect your Kalanchoes from pest insects. Leaf spots and powdery mildew are fungal diseases that can affect kalanchoe plants if they are cultivated in conditions of excessive humidity.
Everything you need to know about the right way, and the wrong way, to grow Kalanchoes, both indoors and outdoors, is now at your fingertips. Kalanchoes may be planted either indoors or outdoors and will thrive in any environment. Healthy, long-lasting Kalanchoe blooms may be encouraged by providing the plant with the correct temperature, water, and light.