184 Species in Genus Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe: Your Guide to the Easy-Care Flowering Succulent

The Kalanchoe, with its vibrant blooms and plump, architectural leaves, is a popular choice for home gardeners. But between its exotic name and unique appearance, you might have some questions. Fear not, fellow plant enthusiast! This guide will answer all your burning Kalanchoe queries.

What is Kalanchoe?

Kalanchoe is a genus of flowering succulents belonging to the Crassulaceae family. These sun-loving plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some boasting cascading teardrop leaves and others sporting upright, scalloped foliage. The star of the show, however, is the Kalanchoe’s clusters of brightly colored flowers, which can range from red and orange to pink, yellow, and even purple.

Kalanchoe species

1. Kalanchoe adelae Raym.-Hamet
2. Kalanchoe aliciae Raym.-Hamet
3. Kalanchoe alternans (Vahl) Pers.
4. Kalanchoe alticola Compton
5. Kalanchoe ambolensis Humbert
6. Kalanchoe angolensis N.E.Br.
7. Kalanchoe antennifera Desc.
8. Kalanchoe apiifolia D.-P.Klein, Shtein & Callm.
9. Kalanchoe arborescens Humbert
10. Kalanchoe aromatica H.Perrier
11. Kalanchoe aubrevillei Raym.-Hamet ex Cufod.
12. Kalanchoe × auriculata (Raadts) V.V.Byalt
13. Kalanchoe ballyi Raym.-Hamet ex Cufod.
14. Kalanchoe beauverdii Raym.-Hamet
15. Kalanchoe beharensis Drake
16. Kalanchoe benbothae Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch
17. Kalanchoe bentii C.H.Wright ex Hook f.
18. Kalanchoe berevoensis Rebmann
19. Kalanchoe bergeri Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
20. Kalanchoe bhidei T.Cooke
21. Kalanchoe bipartita Chiov.
22. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln. Plant FAQs: Flaming Katy – Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
23. Kalanchoe bogneri Rauh
24. Kalanchoe boisii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
25. Kalanchoe boranae Raadts
26. Kalanchoe bouvetii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
27. Kalanchoe brachyloba Welw. ex Britten
28. Kalanchoe bracteata Scott Elliot
29. Kalanchoe brevicalyx (Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier) Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo
30. Kalanchoe briquetii Raym.-Hamet
31. Kalanchoe campanulata (Baker) Baill.
32. Kalanchoe ceratophylla Haw.
33. Kalanchoe chapototii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
34. Kalanchoe cherukondensis Subba Rao & Kumari
35. Kalanchoe chevalieri Gagnep.
36. Kalanchoe citrina Schweinf.
37. Kalanchoe costantinii Raym.-Hamet
38. Kalanchoe craibii Raym.-Hamet
39. Kalanchoe crenata (Andrews) Haw.
40. Kalanchoe crouchii Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo
41. Kalanchoe crundallii I.Verd.
42. Kalanchoe curvula Desc.
43. Kalanchoe cymbifolia Desc.
44. Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
45. Kalanchoe darainensis D.-P.Klein & Callm.
46. Kalanchoe decumbens Compton
47. Kalanchoe deficiens (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf.
48. Kalanchoe delagoensis Eckl. & Zeyh.
49. Kalanchoe densiflora Rolfe
50. Kalanchoe × descoingsii Shtein, Gideon F.Sm. & J.Ikeda
51. Kalanchoe dineshii Syam Radh & Nampy
52. Kalanchoe dinklagei Rauh
53. Kalanchoe dyeri N.E.Br.
54. Kalanchoe elizae A.Berger
55. Kalanchoe eriophylla Hils. & Bojer ex Tul.
56. Kalanchoe × estrelae Gideon F.Sm.
57. Kalanchoe fadeniorum Raadts
58. Kalanchoe farinacea Balf.f.
59. Kalanchoe faustii Font Quer
60. Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
61. Kalanchoe fernandesii Raym.-Hamet
62. Kalanchoe × flaurantia Desc.
63. Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
64. Kalanchoe germanae Raym.-Hamet ex Raadts
65. Kalanchoe gideonsmithii N.R.Crouch & Figueiredo
66. Kalanchoe glaucescens Britten
67. Kalanchoe globulifera H.Perrier
68. Kalanchoe gracilipes (Baker) Baill.
69. Kalanchoe grandidieri Baill.
70. Kalanchoe grandiflora Wight & Arn.
71. Kalanchoe guignardii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
72. Kalanchoe × gunniae Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo
73. Kalanchoe hametiorum Raym.-Hamet
74. Kalanchoe hauseri Werderm.
75. Kalanchoe hildebrandtii Baill.
76. Kalanchoe hirta Harv.
77. Kalanchoe × houghtonii D.B.Ward
78. Kalanchoe humifica Desc.
79. Kalanchoe humilis Britten
80. Kalanchoe hypseloleuce Friis & M.G.Gilbert
81. Kalanchoe inaurata Desc.
82. Kalanchoe inopinatum Rebmann
83. Kalanchoe integra (Medik.) Kuntze
84. Kalanchoe integrifolia Baker
85. Kalanchoe jongmansii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
86. Kalanchoe klopperae Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo
87. Kalanchoe krigeae Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo
88. Kalanchoe laciniata (L.) DC.
89. Kalanchoe laetivirens Desc.
90. Kalanchoe lanceolata (Forssk.) Pers.
91. Kalanchoe lateritia Engl.
92. Kalanchoe latisepala N.E.Br.
93. Kalanchoe laxiflora Baker
94. Kalanchoe leblanciae Raym.-Hamet
95. Kalanchoe lindmanii Raym.-Hamet
96. Kalanchoe linearifolia Drake
97. Kalanchoe lobata R.Fern.
98. Kalanchoe × lokarana Desc.
99. Kalanchoe longiflora Schltr. ex J.M.Wood
100. Kalanchoe longifolia E.T.Geddes
101. Kalanchoe lubangensis R.Fern.
102. Kalanchoe luciae Raym.-Hamet
103. Kalanchoe macrochlamys H.Perrier
104. Kalanchoe mandrarensis Humbert
105. Kalanchoe manginii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
106. Kalanchoe marmorata Baker
107. Kalanchoe marnieriana H.Jacobsen ex L.Allorge
108. Kalanchoe maromokotrensis Desc. & Rebmann
109. Kalanchoe migiurtinorum Cufod.
110. Kalanchoe millotii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
111. Kalanchoe miniata Hils. & Bojer ex Tul.
112. Kalanchoe mitejea Leblanc & Raym.-Hamet
113. Kalanchoe montana Compton
114. Kalanchoe mortagei Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
115. Kalanchoe ndotoensis L.E.Newton
116. Kalanchoe neglecta Toelken
117. Kalanchoe nyikae Engl.
118. Kalanchoe obtusa Engl.
119. Kalanchoe olivacea Dalzell
120. Kalanchoe orgyalis Baker
121. Kalanchoe paniculata Harv.
122. Kalanchoe pareikiana Desc. & Lavranos
123. Kalanchoe peltata (Baker) Baill.
124. Kalanchoe peltigera Desc.
125. Kalanchoe perrieri Shtein, Gideon F.Sm. & D.-P.Klein
126. Kalanchoe peteri Werderm.
127. Kalanchoe petitiana A.Rich.
128. Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
129. Kalanchoe × poincarei Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
130. Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx (Baker) Baill.
131. Kalanchoe prasina N.E.Br.
132. Kalanchoe prittwitzii Engl.
133. Kalanchoe prolifera (Bowie ex Hook.) Raym.-Hamet
134. Kalanchoe pseudocampanulata Mannoni & Boiteau
135. Kalanchoe pubescens Baker
136. Kalanchoe pumila Baker
137. Kalanchoe quadrangularis Desc.
138. Kalanchoe quartiniana A.Rich.
139. Kalanchoe rebmannii Desc.
140. Kalanchoe × rechingeri Raym.-Hamet ex Rauh & Hebding
141. Kalanchoe rhombopilosa Mannoni & Boiteau
142. Kalanchoe × richaudii Desc.
143. Kalanchoe robusta Balf.f.
144. Kalanchoe rolandi-bonapartei Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
145. Kalanchoe rosea C.B.Clarke
146. Kalanchoe rosei Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
147. Kalanchoe rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw.
148. Kalanchoe rubella (Baker) Raym.-Hamet
149. Kalanchoe salazarii Raym.-Hamet
150. Kalanchoe sanctula Desc.
151. Kalanchoe scandens H.Perrier
152. Kalanchoe scapigera Welw. ex Britten
153. Kalanchoe schimperiana A.Rich.
154. Kalanchoe schizophylla (Baker) Baill.
155. Kalanchoe schliebenii Werderm.
156. Kalanchoe serrata Mannoni & Boiteau
157. Kalanchoe sexangularis N.E.Br.
158. Kalanchoe stearnii Raym.-Hamet
159. Kalanchoe stenosiphon Britten
160. Kalanchoe streptantha Baker
161. Kalanchoe suarezensis H.Perrier
162. Kalanchoe subrosulata Thulin
163. Kalanchoe synsepala Baker
164. Kalanchoe tachingshuii S.S.Ying
165. Kalanchoe tashiroi Yamam.
166. Kalanchoe teixeirae Raym.-Hamet ex R.Fern.
167. Kalanchoe tenuiflora Desc.
168. Kalanchoe tetramera E.T.Geddes
169. Kalanchoe tetraphylla H.Perrier
170. Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Harv.
171. Kalanchoe tomentosa Baker
172. Kalanchoe torrejacqii Shtein & Gideon F.Sm.
173. Kalanchoe tuberosa H.Perrier
174. Kalanchoe uniflora (Stapf) Raym.-Hamet
175. Kalanchoe usambarensis Engl. & Raym.-Hamet
176. Kalanchoe variifolia (Guillaumin & Humbert) Shtein, D.-P.Klein & Gideon F.Sm.
177. Kalanchoe velutina Welw. ex Britten
178. Kalanchoe viguieri Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
179. Kalanchoe waldheimii Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier
180. Kalanchoe waterbergensis van Jaarsv.
181. Kalanchoe welwitschii Britten
182. Kalanchoe wildii Raym.-Hamet ex R.Fern.
183. Kalanchoe winteri Gideon F.Sm., N.R.Crouch & Mich.Walters
184. Kalanchoe yemensis (Deflers) Schweinf.

How to Care for Kalanchoe?

Kalanchoe’s popularity stems from its easy-going nature. Here’s the lowdown on Kalanchoe care:

• Light: Kalanchoe thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
• Watering: These drought-tolerant plants despise soggy soil. Water deeply when the soil feels completely dry to the touch, then allow it to dry out again before repeating.
• Soil: Use a well-draining succulent or cactus mix to prevent root rot.
• Temperature: Kalanchoe prefers moderate temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C and 29°C). Protect them from frost and cold drafts.
• Fertilizer: A light feeding every other month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength is sufficient.

How to Pronounce Kalanchoe?

This one can trip some people up! Kalanchoe is pronounced “ka-lan-KOH-wee.”

Is Kalanchoe Poisonous to Dogs?

Unfortunately, yes. Kalanchoe contains toxins that can be harmful to dogs if ingested. Keep your furry friends away from these plants.

How Often to Water Kalanchoe?

Remember, underwatering is always better than overwatering with Kalanchoe. Aim to water deeply once the soil dries out completely. During winter, you may only need to water every few weeks.

Do Kalanchoe Rebloom?

The good news is that Kalanchoe can definitely rebloom! With proper care, you can encourage your plant to flower again. We’ll delve into how to achieve this later.

Can You Plant Kalanchoe Outside?

Yes, you can plant Kalanchoe outdoors in warm climates (USDA zones 9-11). Choose a location with bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. Bring your Kalanchoe indoors before the first frost.

How Big Do Kalanchoe Get?

The mature size of your Kalanchoe depends on the specific variety. Some types, like Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (commonly called the Christmas kalanchoe), grow to a compact 12 inches (30 cm) tall, while others, like Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (jade necklaces), can reach upwards of 3 feet (1 meter) in length.

How to Make Kalanchoe Bloom in Summer?

Kalanchoe naturally flowers in response to long nights and shorter days. To encourage summer blooms, simulate these conditions by providing your plant with 14-16 hours of darkness each night for 6-8 weeks. You can achieve this by covering the plant with a dark cloth during the evening hours.

How Often Do Kalanchoe Bloom?

A healthy Kalanchoe can bloom once or twice a year, depending on the variety and care it receives.

Is Kalanchoe Poisonous to Humans?

While not deadly, Kalanchoe can cause mild stomach upset if ingested. It’s best to keep these plants out of reach of children and pets.

Can Kalanchoe Survive Winter?

Kalanchoe can survive winter indoors as long as they are kept in a warm, brightly lit location. Avoid overwatering during this time.

Do Deer Eat Kalanchoe?

The good news for gardeners is that deer tend to leave Kalanchoe alone due to their somewhat unappetizing, succulent leaves.

How Long Do Kalanchoe Plants Live?

With proper care, Kalanchoe plants can live for several years, bringing you joy with their vibrant flowers and interesting foliage.

Is Kalanchoe Safe for Cats?

Just like with dogs, Kalanchoe is toxic to cats. Keep your feline companions away from these plants.

Why Isn’t My Kalanchoe Flowering?

There are a few reasons why your Kalanchoe might not be gracing you with its blooms. Here are the top culprits:

• Insufficient Light: Kalanchoe needs ample indirect sunlight to trigger flower bud formation. If your plant is tucked away in a dimly lit corner, it won’t receive the necessary light cues to bloom.
• Lack of Nighttime Darkness: Kalanchoe are short-day plants, meaning they flower in response to longer nights and shorter days. During the winter months, this comes naturally. But if your Kalanchoe is bathed in artificial light at night (even from a nearby lamp), it might not perceive the darkness needed to initiate flowering.
• Nutrient Deficiency: While Kalanchoe aren’t heavy feeders, a lack of essential nutrients can hinder flowering. Consider feeding your plant a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength every other month during the growing season.
• Overwatering: Constantly soggy soil can stress your Kalanchoe and prevent it from putting its energy into flower production. Remember, underwatering is always preferable to overwatering with succulents.
• Immaturity: Younger Kalanchoe plants might take a year or two to mature enough to flower. Be patient and provide proper care, and your plant will eventually reward you with blooms.

Is Kalanchoe Edible?

While Kalanchoe isn’t technically poisonous to humans, it’s not considered edible either. The leaves have a somewhat bitter taste and may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. It’s best to admire these beauties with your eyes only and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

How to Propagate Kalanchoe?

The beauty of Kalanchoe is that they’re easy to propagate, allowing you to create more plants for yourself or share the joy with friends. You can propagate Kalanchoe through stem cuttings or leaf cuttings.

What to Plant with Kalanchoe?

Kalanchoe’s vibrant blooms and interesting foliage make them a versatile choice for container arrangements. Here are some ideas for companion plants:

• Succulents: Echeveria, Jade Plant, Aloe Vera
• Cacti: Prickly Pear Cactus, Rebutia (Crown Cactus)
• Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano (in separate pots to avoid herb takeover)

By following these tips and providing your Kalanchoe with the right care, you can enjoy its unique beauty and cheerful blooms for years to come. Happy planting!