Flaming Katy

Flaming Katy Care

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Other names: Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe

What is the plant

It is an easy-care plant for beginners, which flowers come in many shades, from red to yellow to white, purple, or orange. The glossy, thick leaves of Kalanchoe will also set a green corner in the room, so everything left to do is to find a nice-looking pot for it to be admired in.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to Madagascar. It has green leaves and a compact, upright growth habit, reaching a height of 12-18 inches (30- 45 cm). Keep in mind that this plant can be toxic to pets if ingested, so pick a spot that is out of their reach if you have pets around. You will also find it by the name of Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, and Madagascar Widow's-Thrill. Flaming Katy has the ability to flower multiple times a year, so you are in for a color show if you decide to add it to your flower-plant collection.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

15°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 12b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Only water when the top of the soil is dry to touch. Don’t let the soil get bone-dry between waterings, but don’t overdo it either. During the hot summer days, you might need to raise the watering frequency to about twice a week, depending on the humidity levels and sun exposure. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana likes to be in a humid environment, so don’t shy away from misting its leaves a few times a week.
Pruning
There is not much pruning to be done to the plant besides the drying or yellowed leaves to keep it in good shape. You can also deadhead the flowers after blooming so the plant focuses its nutrients on future blooming later in the year.
Fertilizer
There is not much need for fertilization with this plant, as Kalanchoes are just fine by themselves. However, you can encourage blooming throughout the year by adding organic compost to the soil or a mild liquid fertilizer reduced to half its potency once a month during the growth period (from spring to summer).

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Keep your Flaming Katy in a bright, sunny spot, but don’t expose it to direct sun as it might scorch the leaves and make them turn yellow. The plant is quite sensitive to bright sunlight, so a spot with bright indirect light is the best choice for it.
Soil
Normal well-drained potting soil should be enough for this plant to grow. Keep it in soil that retains moisture to some extent without making the soil soggy.
Propagation
There are several ways to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants, including rooting stem cuttings, division, and leaf cuttings. The first method is relatively easy and allows you to quickly produce new plants that are identical to the mother plant in a short period of time, as compared to other propagation methods. Start by cutting a stem from the mother plant that is at least 3 inches (8cm) long and has at least two sets of leaves. Remove the lower leaves from the stem cutting and dip the cut end in the rooting hormone. Plant the stem cutting in a pot filled with well-draining soil. Water the soil and place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and mist the leaves daily to increase humidity. After a few weeks, the stem cutting should root and start to grow new leaves. When the plant is established, you can transplant it to a larger pot or outdoor garden, and, just like that, you have a new plant.

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Temperature
Flaming Katy is sensitive to cold temperatures and should be protected from frost. It is generally a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid environments. The ideal temperature range for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is between 60-75°F (16-24°C). The plant can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, down to about 50°F (10°C), but it is important to protect it from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures as this can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to stop blooming.
Container
You can choose any container for this plant as long as it has drainage holes. You can keep it in a ceramic pot or in flower baskets.
Fun fact
Flaming Katy needs longer nights and shorter days to encourage bloom. The plant will flower with approx. 14 hours of full darkness.

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Popularity
155,362 people already have this plant 17,474 people have added this plant to their wishlists

Common pests
It is possible for the plant to be affected by a few common houseplant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. Neem oil and rubbing oil are your best friends when it comes to keeping pests away from your plants as long as you keep your Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in check regularly.
Frequent diseases
Botanist’s tips