Learn how to propagate the beautiful kalanchoe houseplant! Follow our simple steps to double the beauty of this hardy plant in your home. Here’s everything you need to know!
When to Take a Kalanchoe Cutting?
Kalanchoe is a succulent and tender plant that blooms when the nights are longer than the days. This tropical perennial, native to Africa and Madagascar, shows off beautiful pink, orange, and red flowers. It thrives in pots and greenhouses and can be easily propagated in a warm environment around 20°C.
The best time to take kalanchoe cuttings is from April to October.
How to Take a Kalanchoe Cutting?
Steps to Propagate Kalanchoe:
- Prepare Your Tray: Create a setup that maintains a temperature around 20°C. Use a bed of clay balls at the bottom of an undrilled container. Cover the clay balls with a cloth to prevent them from mixing with the potting soil. Add the potting mix and pack carefully.
- Select a Stem: Choose a non-flowering kalanchoe stem and carefully remove the lower leaves.
- Plant the Cuttings: Insert the cuttings into the prepared soil. Mist the leaves and cover the tray with a lid fitted with windows.
- Maintain Humidity: Keep the lid closed until roots form, typically around two weeks. Open the windows at the first signs of stretching to prevent moisture buildup. After a week, remove the transparent cover.
- Transition to Sunlight: Once winter is over, place the kalanchoe in the sun in May.
How and Where to Plant a Kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe is mainly grown indoors in pots. It likes light and thrives in a well-drained substrate. Although it is a hardy plant, it does not tolerate cold well and prefers temperatures around 10°C.
Planting Tips:
- Repotting: After purchase, if the plant is no longer flowering, repot it. Doing this in the fall encourages flowers during winter.
- Spring Transplanting: In spring, move the plant to a larger pot with a 2 cm drainage layer of clay balls.
How to Make the Plant Flower?
To enjoy the charm of a flowering kalanchoe without much maintenance, prioritize space for the plant to grow. This plant is known for its rapid growth and the appearance of shoots, which are easy to transplant.
Watering Tips:
- Water Sparingly: Allow the root ball to dry out between waterings.
- Regular Watering: Water regularly but sparingly to keep the plant healthy and encourage flowering.
With these simple steps, you can successfully propagate, maintain, and enjoy the beautiful blooms of the kalanchoe plant in your home!
