Kalanchoe Red Flowering Plant
Description
When most people ask for a fuss-free colorful potted flower they are typically referring to the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant. This particular specimen boasts tiny star-shaped red flowers in densely packed clusters atop a bed of thick, glossy, scallop- edged leaves and as these plant plants are succulent in heart they don't look all too pathetic even once their floral blooms have long gone. Other countries might sell this specimen as the Christmas Kalanchoe or the Flaming Katy but here in India, we often name this flower by color like red kalanchoe.
The long-lived bloom that makes these plants popular for gifts and desks, for one reason or another, typically lasts at least for weeks sometimes longer, even the very thought of long flowering times like that makes them very rare gifts.
As for light, this particular flowering succulent prefers light that hits just a few hours in the morning sun, a bright spot away from a south or east window is fine. Other wise watering habits for this particular plant need not be too much for if you do not water them for a week at all, you shall have done them a favor and this makes an excellent plants for beginners or office gifts if you often forget or are often too busy to stick to a strict plant watering agenda this plant tolerates itself without care, perfectly for most living areas and even places on your bookshelf next to window. Because the plant likes the nights to become longer to trigger its flowers it will not bloom all year unless there's natural light- cues. Luckily for you as you buy either flowering buds, ready to sprout plants or just some plants in a 3-inch potting mix that has adequate nutrients for a succinct environment.
Key Features
- The flowers cluster in bright red star shaped blooms above the leaf rosette.
- Thick, smooth leaves are scallops of dark, glossy green even between flowering spells.
- These bloom for an extended period, with one crop of blooms lasting for a few weeks.
- This succulent will not object to a missed watering far more strongly than a drenching.
- Dense, rounded habit that is perfectly portable.
- A practical choice for gifting, since it usually arrives already in flower or close to it
- Adapts well to typical Indian indoor and balcony conditions with some morning sun
Care at a Glance
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Sunlight |
Bright light with some direct morning sun; avoid harsh afternoon sun |
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Watering |
Let the top half of the soil dry out before watering again; water thoroughly, then let it drain |
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Temperature |
15°C to 26°C (60°F to 80°F); keep away from cold drafts and frost |
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Humidity |
Average room humidity is fine; this plant doesn't need misting |
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Repotting |
Once a year or once the current pot feels tight, ideally after a flowering cycle ends |
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Growth rate |
Slow to moderate; energy goes mainly into flowering rather than fast leaf growth |
Product Specifications
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Plant common name |
Kalanchoe Red Flowering Plant |
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Botanical name |
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana |
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Plant type |
Flowering succulent, indoor/outdoor |
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Life cycle |
Perennial |
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Suitable location |
Bright windowsill, balcony with morning sun, desk, living room |
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Sunlight exposure |
Bright light with some direct morning sun |
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Bloom period |
Naturally triggered by shorter day length, typically winter to early spring; plant usually arrives in bloom or near bloom |
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Special features |
Long-lasting red flower clusters; succulent, low-water foliage |
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Plant size at dispatch |
Approx. 3 inches |
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Bare-rooted/Pot |
Optional |
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Pot size |
3 inches |
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Pot material |
Plastic nursery pot |
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Soil type |
Well-draining potting mix suited to succulents |
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Country of origin |
India |
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Brand |
Plant Orbit |
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Item weight |
As per pot size and soil moisture at the time of dispatch |
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Package dimensions |
As per pot size and packaging used for safe transit |
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Seller |
Plant Orbit Haldawni |
What's in the Box
- 1 × Live Kalanchoe Red Flowering Plant
- 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional, as selected at purchase)
- Potting mix
- Basic care guide
Important Notes
- Flower colour intensity and bud count can vary a little from plant to plant and from the photographs shown, since this is a living item.
- When buds fall off soon after delivery this should generally just be a response to the travel, and the remainder normally will flower within one to two weeks as the plant gets established.
- Avoid harsh and hot direct sun, especially midday in the height of summer, it scorches the foliage and reduces the life span of the blooms.
- After flowering is finished it requires a rest with less daylight hours and water before it will make fresh buds, it does not have continuous flowering.
- It is easy to over water Kalanchoe's and probably the primary cause of death of the plants for beginners - when in doubt, leave it a day or two longer!
- Kalanchoe's should be kept away from any pets where ingestion may occur. It is toxic to your pets, especially your cats and dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Kalanchoe leaves are turning yellow or soft?
A: Most of the time it will be overwatering and not underwatering. Make sure your pot has good drainage and wait until at least half of the soil on the top gets dry before watering again. Soft and mushy stems signify the beginning of root rot already, thus water less as soon as you notice this.
Q: How often do I water this plant?
A: I don’t follow a schedule but you can touch the soil of the plant, if the soil on the top half feels dry then you water it well until the water comes out of the drainage hole, then leave it for the top half to dry again. In Indian homes you will be watering roughly once every 7 to 10 days, less in winters.
Q: Will my Kalanchoe flower again after the flowers die?
A: Yes it can, though it needs a rest first. Cut off all of the spent flowering stems, then cut back on your watering for the next month, and place the plant somewhere it can get a shorter duration of natural light as the days shorten. Following this natural signal most plants that are being grown successfully will produce new buds.
Q: Should my Kalanchoe be getting direct sunlight?
A: Yes it will benefit from some direct sun particularly for a couple of hours in the morning to keep the growth concise, but avoid the harsh midday and afternoon sun in high summer.
Q: Is kalanchoe good to have around Pets?
A: Not really, you need to try to keep this outside the reach of your dogs and cats. The plant is toxic and has a chemical compound which is toxic if ingested or chewed; ensure your pet doesn’t have access to the flowers and leaves.
Q: Does my plant need frequent fertilising?
A: No, and not until it has settled. You may however feed the plant once a month with a weak dilution half the usual dosage; ensure it is a balanced liquid plant feed; feed throughout the flowering/ growing season then do not feed whilst resting in between flowering stages.
