It is unfortunate that, like Easter lilies and poinsettias, most kalanches, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, are enjoyed while actively blooming, and then discarded as their blooms fade. It is so easy to simply snip out the deteriorating flowers, and grow the small perennials plants for their appealing succulent foliage until they bloom again. They do not get much more than half a foot tall, so can stay in small pots indefinitely. They seem to prefer the porosity of clay pots. Because they can rot, they should be watered when the surface of the soil seems to be getting dry, and their drainage saucers should not be allowed to hold water too long. Kalanchoes like bright but indirect sunlight. They can be acclimated to direct sun exposure, but might seem to be somewhat stunted. If brought in before frost, they can be happy out on a patio. The clustered small flowers can be white, pink, red or bright or pastel shades of orange or yellow.
Yes! This is a very common question I get when speaking. I now try to travel with a kalanchoe to talk about how they’re not “toss-away” plants. The repeat bloom isn’t going to be quite as glorious as the initial one–but it’s perfectly lovely. As you said, just like a poinsettia.
Karla
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I think they are even easier to accommodate than poinsettias are. Poinsettias can get so large, and because no one wants to cut the back, they get overgrown and twiggy.
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I have had mine for many years in a clay pot on the patio. It reblooms and in the summer it lives in my wooded area and when a piece fall off, it roots itself. Kalanchoes are a great plant.
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They can be if they get the chance. Most get discarded first.
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The first plant I grew successfully was a kalanchoe — almost sixty years ago! I think they’re lovely, and they do make great patio plants.
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It would be really impressive if it lasted sixty years!
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It works well as a houseplant, too. I’ve had one on my landing window sill indoors (north-west facing) in a small pot for a few years now. Flowers (white) every spring.
(Still raining every day here, by the way!)
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Dang! We have had only an hour or so of drizzle from heavy fog, but have not gotten our first storm yet!
Anyway, kalanchoes are excellent houseplants, or houseplants that get moved into a sheltered spot outside to regenerate after bloom. I find that such plants regenerate better outside, even if they finish bloom now and need to wait until after winter to go outside. They do need to be our of reach of snails though.
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