Kalanchoe is a flowering plant that is native to Madagascar. Among its relatives are jade and sedum, both of which belong to the Crassulaceae family.
The plant is characterized by its fleshy, green leaves and red, bell-shaped flowers. These plants are versatile enough to be placed in various settings throughout the house. Known for its ease of care and frequent blooms, Kalanchoe is a popular houseplant.
One of the most common questions about Kalanchoe is why its leaves turn red. There are a few different reasons why this may happen. One possibility is that the plant is getting too much sun.
Read on to discover the cause of the red coloration of kalanchoe leaves. Doing so will ensure your future success in providing the best care for your plant.
Problems with watering
How often have you been watering your kalanchoe plants? It’s crucial to provide adequate moisture for these plants without drowning them. Root rot is a common problem with kalanchoe plants. True for most plants, but especially so for Kalanchoe, which wilts easily if watered too much.
For this reason, some people won’t bother watering their kalanchoe plants at all. You might be tempted to water the plant less frequently than it needs. Lack of water might cause the leaves to turn colors. It’s possible that this is what’s causing the leaves to turn red or at least take on a crimson hue.
To water these plants properly, wait until the top two inches of soil are completely dry. A few times a week, you should check on the plant to see whether it needs watering.
Watering your indoor kalanchoe plant simply once every ten days is the norm. Even though kalanchoe plants may survive with only an inch of water each week outside, they still need to be watered every week.
Be sure to give these plants a good soaking every time you water them. Indoor plants require watering to the point where it can be seen dripping out of the drainage holes.
After 15 to twenty minutes, you should dump the dish. These plants must not be allowed to sit in water.
Bad Soil Conditions
The soil in which your Kalanchoe now resides may be unsuitable. The leaves hue might be altered by a few potential issues. There may not be enough nutrients in the soil. It seems the plant isn’t getting enough of what it needs to grow and flourish.
Perhaps the soil doesn’t drain well. Lack of drainage in the soil might lead to over-watering issues for plants. Kalanchoe plants require soil that drains quickly and easily. To ensure the plant’s success in your home environment, it’s also important to purchase nutrient-rich soil.
There are two options for getting soil: either making your own or purchasing it from a garden shop. Ensure that it has good drainage and a fertilizer mix that will keep your kalanchoe plant thriving.
Temperature Conditions
Kalanchoe plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can lead to stress. You probably already know that some plants can’t stand the cold.
Because of their tropical origins, kalanchoe plants die in cold weather. The plant may undergo a color change as a result of stress if temperatures drop below normal.
Plants of this kind frequently shut their leaves in reaction to extremes of temperature, whether they low or high. The leaves color might change to red as a result of the strain. These plants thrive in temperatures of around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maintaining an ideal temperature for these plants indoors is a breeze. However, if you keep the plants outside, the temperature may swing quite a little. You must be in the proper USDA hardiness zone for these plants before planting them outside.
It’s important to remember to move your houseplants away from any drafty windows or vents as well. Is your kalanchoe plant suffering from stress because it is located too close to an air conditioner?
Sunlight Problems
Plants can change color when exposed to an excess of sunshine. Kalanchoe plants are succulents, and it is well known that the colors of these plants shift somewhat when they are exposed to sunshine.
In typical conditions, kalanchoe plants require high levels of light. It’s possible the plant is getting too much sunshine. It’s possible that you’re letting too much sunshine hit the plant. The leaves crimson coloration may be due to overexposure to direct sunlight.
Alternatively, you might provide the plant with indirect sunlight. Because of this, keeping the leaves, their typical green should be less of a hassle.
Too Much Fertilizer
Overfertilization places undue strain on a plant. When this happens, the Kalanchoe may become less robust. Fertilizing a plant while it’s already under duress might lead to some unexpected side effects. When given excessive amounts of fertilizer, succulents can take on a crimson hue.
Never apply fertilizer until absolutely necessary. Fertilizing kalanchoe plants should be done once per month while they are actively developing and not at all during their resting period. It’s important to be precise while applying fertilizer to plants. To protect the plant, dilute the fertilizer as directed.
Perhaps you misapplied the fertilizer because you failed to read the label. Perhaps this is what triggered the reddening of the leaves. You should use greater caution in the future to prevent recurrences of this kind of thing. Too much fertilizer, though, might kill kalanchoe plants.
Conclusion
You now know that there are several triggers that might cause kalanchoe leaves to become red. There might be a number of causes for the symptoms you’re seeing in your houseplant. It’s possible that soil conditions are unsuitable. Enhanced drainage or nitrogen content in the soil may be necessary.
Sometimes problems with the water supply are to blame. It’s possible that the plant is receiving too much sunshine. Another frequent problem is the use of excessive amounts of fertilizer. Fertilizing plants properly necessitates taking precautions to avoid overdoing it.
Don’t just sit there and perform the same thing; use the above as a guide to making some adjustments. It should work for your Kalanchoe and return it to health.