Christmas Tree Plant Care

Avoid watering with your Christmas Tree Plant, as it is easy for it to develop root rot. Use the soak-and-dry method for watering, and don’t let it sit in water. You will know you are overwatering it when the leaves start to mush. Stop watering during wintertime as the plant goes dormant.

Pruning is important in order to ensure good airflow and keep possible pests away. Cut any dead or affected leaves and give it a shape by cutting the stems wherever the foliage starts to be too clustered. Christmas tree plants tend to get a bit messy during the growth period, so don’t shy away from pruning when necessary.

During the growth season, fertilizing can help the plant get bigger and stronger, so use a mild, liquid fertilizer every 6 weeks in spring and summer and stop fertilizing it in the colder months.

Kalanchoe Laciniata prefers bright spots, especially during the growth period and in the blooming season. However, don’t keep it in full sun all day long, because the leaves might start to get burnt. Ideally, have them in a bright location with partial sun.

This plant needs well-draining soil, ideally a cactus mix, so it does not lock in moisture. You can also mix normal house plant soil with a good amount of peat moss, sand, and perlite to make sure the plant has the ideal soil to thrive.

Propagation through cutting is the easiest and most common way to go about getting a new plant from the Christmas tree plant. During spring, cut a stem with leaves that are not about to bloom and make sure this cutting has growth nodes on it. Let it dry for 2-3 days, then plant the cutting in well-draining soil. You can also dip it in growth hormone before doing so, but this step is optional. The cuttings only need 2-3 weeks before baby leaves start to appear on the new plant.

Kalanchoe Laciniata is not one to resist frost, so keep it in warm temperatures that don’t go below 45 °F (7 °C). Keep the pot away from cold air flows, as the plant can easily be affected by them and start dropping leaves.

Use a clay pot, as it does not keep water locked in for too long, and make sure it also has draining holes. You don’t need to think too much about repotting, as the plant grows quite slowly, only needing repotting every few years.

Kalanchoe Laciniata is a win-win, as it is both an ornamental plant and a medicinal one. The leaves of the plant are used with antiseptic and emollient purposes. They are known to treat digestive problems if ingested and, if applied locally, will soothe a fresh cut or an insect bite.