The Secret to Keeping Kalanchoe Blooming Year After Year

The Secret to Keeping Kalanchoe Blooming Year After Year

Kalanchoe, a popular succulent, can be a stunning addition to your home. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep this enchanting plant blooming year after year, you’re in the right place. With just a few adjustments to its care routine, you can revitalize your kalanchoe and enjoy its vibrant flowers long after the holiday season.

Understanding Kalanchoe

The subject of our discussion is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, commonly known as florist’s kalanchoe or Christmas kalanchoe. This vibrant plant often appears during the holiday season, alongside other festive favorites like cyclamen, schlumbergera, and poinsettias.

Can Kalanchoe Rebloom Every Year?

Absolutely! Kalanchoe can rebloom annually, provided it undergoes a necessary rest period. Typically, this hardy plant flowers during the months with shorter days and longer nights, making it a beautiful winter centerpiece.

• In temperate climates, kalanchoe usually blooms from November to May.
• Flowers can last for up to six months, although they may vary year by year.
• Even when not in bloom, kalanchoe’s glossy, scalloped leaves remain visually appealing.

Caring for Your Kalanchoe After Blooming

Once the flowers fade, it’s essential to treat your kalanchoe like any other succulent. Here’s how:

• Place it in a sunny spot, watering only when the soil feels dry.
• Continue caring for it throughout the summer to maintain growth.
• Prepare for reblooming by adjusting care as fall approaches.

Factors for Kalanchoe Reblooming

To encourage your kalanchoe to flower again, consider the following four essential factors:

1. Reduce Daylight Hours

Kalanchoe is a short-day plant, meaning it requires fewer daylight hours to bloom. Facilitate a rest period of about two months starting in mid-fall by:

• Providing 12 to 14 hours of total darkness daily.
• Moving it to a darker area if necessary.

2. Adjust Watering Schedule

During its resting phase, reduce watering from weekly to about every three weeks. As new blooms appear, increase the frequency again according to the plant’s needs.

3. Maintain Cool Temperatures

Florist’s kalanchoe thrives in cooler temperatures:

• A nighttime temperature around 60°F (15.5°C) encourages bud formation.
• Keep daytime temperatures below 70°F (21°C) for optimal blooming.

4. Avoid Fertilizing

Do not fertilize your kalanchoe while it is resting. This will help the plant to conserve energy and focus on reblooming.

Things to Know About Flowering Kalanchoe

• Leggy Growth: If your kalanchoe grows leggy, don’t worry; it can still flower. You can prune it in spring if needed.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage earlier blooms.
• Hard Pruning: This should be a last resort if the plant doesn’t bloom after multiple attempts. It can help rejuvenate the plant.

Conclusion

Your kalanchoe deserves a second chance. With careful attention and proper care, you can bring this beautiful plant back to life, enjoying its cheerful blooms winter after winter. Don’t toss out your kalanchoe just because the flowers have faded; nurture it, and you’ll be rewarded with a vibrant display year after year!