Even though kalanchoes are a tough kind of succulent, leaves falling off can be alarming. Seasonal shifts, lack of sunshine, improper fertilizer dose, improper watering, improper temperature management, and other factors can all play a role, but too much sunlight is a likely culprit.
There are more than a hundred distinct types of kalanchoe plants, which are succulents. Succulents, as a family, tend to be hardy, meaning that they are less likely to suddenly droop, lose leaves, or perish. That’s why, if your kalanchoe leaves start falling off, you need to figure out why.
We’ll go through several possible causes for the leaf drop on your kalanchoe plants and some solutions to the problem. Throughout this post, we’ll go into greater depth about some of the common reasons and causes.
So Why Are The Leaves On My Kalanchoe Falling Off?
Inadequate Watering
Kalanchoe plants, like most other plants, require regular enough watering to thrive. Providing the proper amount of water to your kalanchoe is crucial if you want it to stay healthy and flourish. Overwatering and underwatering are the two most important things to watch out for while caring for succulents.
Overwatering
As succulents, kalanchoes can retain water in their leaves and hence require less watering than other houseplants. Worry-wart plant owners who overwater their succulents will eventually see their leaves become mushy and drop off. What appear to be healthy leaves falling off your kalanchoe might be alarming.
Root rot, caused by overwatering, causes the succulent’s leaves and stems to droop and eventually fall off. You need to keep a watchful check on the plant since root rot can develop quickly.
It might be root rot if the plant begins to droop and lose leaves despite the fact that the soil is wet.
Underwatering
As unusual as it may seem, you can actually submerge your succulent. Succulents are able to survive with less water than other plants, yet they still require it. The leaves will begin to turn brown and curl back, giving the impression that they have wrinkles until they finally fall off.
That’s the classic telltale indication of being dehydrated. To solve this problem, soak your kalanchoe until water drains out of the drainage hole. In a few hours, the leaves should regain their fullness. If you want to know how much water your kalanchoe requires, you can get a moisture meter or create a watering schedule to remind yourself.
Changes in Season and Incorrect Temperature
It’s possible that the temperature at which you’ve been keeping your kalanchoe is contributing to its leaf drop. Kalanchoes aren’t as finicky as some other plants, but they won’t survive in the cold. Temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for your kalanchoe.
When temperatures dip below 0, which often happens in the winter, outside kalanchoes need to be brought indoors. Although these plants are known for their resilience, they will still lose their leaves and perish if the weather continues to worsen. This plant will perish in an instant if exposed to cold or if the temperature drops rapidly.
Since Kalanchoes are not as sensitive to humidity as other plants are, they will flourish in conditions where the temperature is between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lack of Sunlight
Kalanchoe, like other plants, needs exposure to light in order to thrive. These plants need to be in an area where they can get at least six hours of indirect sunshine every day. Succulents, as a reminder, can’t stand being in the sun all day.
They should be kept in a well-lit space that is shielded from direct sunlight. It also stimulates flower development in the plant.
Using the wrong soil
Maintaining a healthy kalanchoe and protecting it from infections requires the right soil mixture. Half of the dirt you use to plant your kalanchoe should be regular potting soil, and the other half should be cactus potting soil. Peat moss and perlite ratios of 60/40 are also acceptable.
These combinations are optimal because they allow for adequate drainage while yet maintaining appropriate moisture content. A clay pot can assist the soil in dissipating excess water.
Wrong Fertilizer Usage
Kalanchoe leaves will droop and fall off if you fertilize them improperly or don’t fertilize them at all. Once a month is OK for using a moderately potent fertilizer. The plant’s roots might be harmed by using too much of this product. In this case, fertilizing the plant is not recommended for at least six months.
Overrun by Bugs
When you notice leaves dropping from your kalanchoe, the most likely culprit are bugs. Insect infestations may swiftly destroy a plant if you do nothing to stop them. Kalanchoe is particularly susceptible to attack by spider mites, scale, and mealybugs.
Learn to recognize these pests by following these steps:
Spider Mites
Infested plants with spider mites will have tiny white webs on their leaves, but you won’t be able to see the mites themselves. The leaves will change from yellow to brown and eventually fall off if you don’t cure it.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs, which look like little cotton balls, cluster together and produce sticky droppings on the leaves. The afflicted leaves will fall off and perish if no action is taken.
Scale
The scale on your succulent’s leaves looks like little brown spheres. The plat will grow more vulnerable to illnesses if you do nothing to prevent them from feasting on the sap in the kalanchoe leaves, which will cause the leaves to fall off.
Insect infestations on plants are best treated with an organic pesticide. When a moderate insecticide fails to accomplish the trick, it may be necessary to resort to commercial pesticides.
Keep in mind that pesticides are extremely dangerous and that you should never use them inside. A plant’s death might be avoided if you apply the pesticide as directed on the label.
Kalanchoe Leaf Diseases
There are illnesses that can harm a plant to the point where its leaves fall off. A list of some of these diseases follows:
A fungus that causes black spots
To put it simply, a black spot is a fungal infection of the leaves. It’s not only the unsightly patches it leaves behind; it’s also the cellular damage and eventual leaf drop it causes.
A fungal disease called powdery mildew
Due to the microscopic nature of the white webbing produced by powdery mildew, it may be difficult to spot the disease on your succulent. Dots of yellow leaves dropping off, rings and spots covering the leaves, and a dusty gray hue are some more issues that are more obvious.
When it comes to powdery mildew, it’s the filamentous, branching growth that matters, not the spores. Powdery mildew can be removed by washing the leaves with soapy water and then applying a combination of potassium bicarbonate and water.
Conclusion
Losing the leaves on a kalanchoe that was previously thriving is a sad sight. These succulents may lose their leaves for a variety of reasons, and this may ultimately be fatal for the plant.
It’s up to you to make sure your plant has everything it needs to thrive, including the right quantity of water, the right kind of soil, and the right amount of sunlight.
Your plant might be harmed by any of these things and more. Kalanchoe, thankfully, is a tough plant that you may be able to rescue. If you take our recommendations here to heart, you will have a plant that is both prosperous and healthy.