How to Grow Kalanchoe

Many of the kalanchoe varieties grow in containers outdoors to add color accents to your deck or patio, but they thrive indoors. The kalanchoe plants produce flowers in yellows and oranges, as well as red and pink. Newer colors of kalanchoe include purples and a few varieties of white. Kalanchoes are popular during the holiday months; they make ideal holiday gift baskets. The color of the kalanchoe plants lasts through autumn into the winter months. Growing the plants is not difficult.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kalanchoe plant seeds Garden shovel Garden gloves Garden snips House-plant fertilizer

1. Plant your kalanchoe plant seeds in well-draining soil. Too much water turns the leaves yellow. The seeds will flower in about 10 months. Sow the seeds in March for December blooms.

2. Place your kalanchoe plant in a bright area with indirect light. Too much hot sun will diminish the plant's growth.

3. Add a house-plant food fertilizer to the soil during the months of March through October. Purchase the fertilizer at a local home and garden store and follow the label directions.

4. Thoroughly water your kalanchoe plants, but allow the soil to dry out between watering. They are drought resistant, but they thrive best with water.

5. Prune the dying flowers of the kalanchoe plant to encourage new growth. Pinch off the shoot tips from October to February.

Tips & Warnings

• The kalanchoe plants are fairly maintenance free. They grow well and require little care. Use artificial lighting during darker winter months. Make sure your kalanchoes are shaded during hot summer months.
• Do not let the roots get soggy to avoid root rot.

References

• "Sunset Western Garden Annual," Leisure Arts Inc., 2004