Kalanchoe

There are more than 125 species of kalanchoe, which are mostly bushy succulents that come from tropical regions of Madagascar and Africa. They vary in their growth habit, height and leaf characteristics, which adds interesting contrasts due to their different sizes, texture and colour.

Many people choose them as they are ideal for container plants, either indoors or on balconies, for their interesting foliage and flower colour. In warmer areas they make an ideal border planting for a usual garden design.

There are many beautiful varieties of kalanchoe, that will make an ideal addition to any garden space. Check out your local hardware or garden centre for varieties to suit your location. Here are some of the popular varieties to consider.

• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana or flaming Katy is one with vivid blooms in autumn and winter in shades of red, white, yellow, orange and pink. This 25cm high plant is widely used as a flowering indoor plant (note this plant is toxic to humans and pets if the leaves are chewed, so keep it out of reach of children and pets).
• Kalanchoe bracteata or flap jacks is another kalanchoe grown for its vertical, pancake-shaped leaves. The leaves develop attractive red tones. Kalanchoe ‘Silver Spoons’ has attractive silver leaves that, as the variety name suggests are spoon-shaped. It forms a compact shrub around 1m high and can be grown in a garden or a container. This variety has orange bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring.
• Kalanchoe beharensis, commonly known as felt bush, has large felty green leaves. Plants can reach 2-3m high and wide making a striking feature for a succulent garden or outdoor container. It is very drought-tolerant.
• Kalanchoe ‘Freedom Bells’ is ideal for hanging baskets reaching up to around 20cm in height with fleshy, green, trailing foliage. It produces masses of red bell-shaped flowers from winter to spring.
• Kalanchoe pumila Hot Pink Mini says it all with its name, with masses of tiny, hot-pink flowers which cover this plant throughout spring and early summer. At other times of the year, it is a beautiful plant to 30cm high with unique foliage patterns.

Kalanchoes need nothing more than a sunny spot to thrive and can be grown in the ground or a container. Plants can also grow easily from cuttings taken from spring to summer.

Growing conditions

Aspect They need a bright, sunny location with sun all day (at least six to eight hours) to encourage strong and vigorous growth and plenty of flowers. Indoors, they prefer bright, indirect light for optimum growth and flowering.

Soil Kalanchoes, being a succulent prefer well-drained, sandy or gritty soil, but they will tolerate most soils as long as they are not waterlogged. Poorly drained or extremely wet soil may cause them to rot, so grow them in raised garden beds or pots. When growing in outdoor pots use a nutrient-rich potting mix designed for cacti and succulents in a pot with plenty of drainage holes.

Climate Kalanchoes grow best in all temperate to subtropical climates. They are not cold-tolerant, requiring protection from temperatures below 15°C.

General care

Watering Water when dry. Being a succulent avoid overwatering kalanchoes and don’t allow potted plants to stand in saucers of water. Apply Seasol regularly to maintain overall plant health.

Feeding and mulching Feed kalanchoes every season with a controlled-release fertiliser such as PowerFeed Controlled Release All Purpose including Natives. It is designed to work over several months to feed your kalanchoes for strong growth and flowering. It also contains beneficial microbes to revitalise the soil or potting mix. Supplement feeding with a liquid fertiliser, such as PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives, every two to four weeks throughout the year.

Apply an inorganic mulch such as gravel, pebbles or rocks around the clump in garden beds or containers as this will aid the growth of kalanchoes.

Pruning Remove spent flowers or damaged foliage.

Watch out Kalanchoes grow without too much trouble if they are in full sun or bright light indoors. Plants in too much shade may fail to grow strongly and may flower poorly, and may develop mildew on their leaves.

Watch for snails and slugs, especially during rainy periods. Remove snails by hand,  or try traps (such as beer traps) or barriers such as eggshells, wood shavings or coffee grinds or apply an organic snail bait.