Why is my plant not blooming?

It likely needs more darkness at night to initiate flower bud formation.

How often should I water it?

Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Kalanchoe.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Pronounced kal-un-KOH-ee bloss-fel-dee-AH-nuh

Also known as Christmas kalanchoe, Flaming Katy, Florist Kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow's-Thrill, Madagascar widow's thrill

This cheerful succulent is a favorite for its long lasting clusters of vibrant flowers. It stores water in its thick, waxy leaves, making it quite forgiving if you forget a watering. It thrives in bright spots and brings a pop of color to any indoor space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 10 to 21 days
Mature size: 30 to 45 cm
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to spring

Care

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for mushy stems or yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is sitting in too much moisture. Provide plenty of bright light to encourage the plant to bloom again.

Watering: Water only when the potting mix is dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stalks to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 13 to 29°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.
The plant looks top heavy and tips over easily.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children as ingestion of the leaves or stems can cause illness.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not for consumption and can cause severe digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

Thick, fleshy, dark green leaves
Scalloped leaf margins
Clusters of small, four petaled flowers
Compact, upright growth habit

Height: 0.2 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, yellow, orange, white, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves due to poor air circulation or high humidity.
Root rot — The roots decay when the soil stays too wet for too long.
Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects cluster in leaf axils and suck plant sap.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors if you keep it outside during summer. Keep it in a bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is at least 4 to 6 inches wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a 3 to 4 inch stem cutting from a healthy plant.
2. Allow the cut end to callous over for two days.
3. Insert the cutting into a pot with well draining succulent soil.
4. Keep the soil slightly moist until roots form.

Group plants with similar succulent needs to ensure you do not overwater them.

Grows well with

Jade Plant — They share similar requirements for bright light and infrequent watering.
Echeveria — These succulents thrive in the same well draining soil conditions.
Haworthia — They make a visually pleasing display with similar care needs.

Similar species

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi — It shares the same succulent habit and ease of care.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora — It is another popular succulent in the same genus with striking foliage.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Native to Madagascar.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in the wild.

It survives in rocky, arid environments by storing water in its fleshy leaves.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Flowering gift plant, Desktop accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9
Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my plant not blooming?: It likely needs more darkness at night to initiate flower bud formation.
How often should I water it?: Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Kalanchoe is derived from a Chinese name for one of the species, while blossfeldiana honors the German hybridizer Robert Blossfeld.

Good to know

It is a succulent that stores water in its thick leaves.
The plant is photoperiodic, meaning it needs long nights to trigger blooming.
It is often called the Christmas Kalanchoe because it blooms in winter.
The flowers can last for several months with proper care.

Is your kalanchoe looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.