Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Pruning, Problems

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Flaming Katy also called Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe or Madagascar Widow's-thrill is one of the well-liked Kalanchoe varieties, on account of its attractive, long lasting flowers which can be induced in any season, and its vibrant leaves which turn reddish in bright light.

Christmas Kalanchoe is among easy-care succulent plants, perfect for the front porch or main entrance, where it will create a great first impression.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a delightful, succulent, bushy, holiday-plant and is is an ideal mother's day plant gift.

Botanical name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Flaming Katy Plant, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow's-thrill

Origin

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is native to Madagascar.

Size

Christmas Kalanchoe can grow to a height of 1-2 feet and a spread of about 1.5-2 feet in about 2-5 years.

Varieties

There are many varieties of Flaming Katy available like Bali with red flowers, Mistral with lilac flowers, Fortyniner with yellow flowers, Tarantella with orange flowers and Vesuvius with red flowers.

Miniatures of Florist Kalanchoe which are more compact, growing to about 6 inches high and bearing red flowers are also available. The miniatures include Compact Lilliput, Tom Thumb and Margarethe. There is one that can be raised from seed, the Vulcan hybrid.

Is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana toxic?

Yes. The ASPCA has listed Kalanchoe Plants as toxic to animals. They contain Calcium glycosides which are toxic to animals. Keep the plants away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.

Where to Buy

Flaming Katy plants are beautiful plants to add to your collection, you may obtain these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Indoors

To care for Flaming Katy indoors, give it bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana requires annual repotting at the beginning of the growing season. Pruning is needed to keep it neat as well as promote flowering. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Flaming Katy Plant liberally in spring and summer until water drips out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, yellow leaves and leaf drop.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil almost dry as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long to prevent wrinkled, dry leaves, and drooping.

To avoid shocking this tropical plant which can result in reduced growth and leaf loss, water it with tepid water (room temperature water). Use chlorine-free water to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.

Carefully, water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage to discourage fungal diseases. Ensure that the soil is well-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual plant death.

Light Requirements

Flaming Katy grows best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of of morning to late afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

If light is not enough, the plant will become leggy with wide spaces between the leaf and will not bloom. Therefore, if the natural light is not sufficient, use a grow light to supplement it.

Turn the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides to encourage even growth to prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Flaming Katy prospers in a warmth of 15-28⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid temperature flactuations as they can lead to reduced growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Potting Soil

Flaming Katy soil should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid waterlogging. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is perfect for the plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Flaming Katy with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks when the plant is actively growing (spring and summer) to promote flowering.

Withhold feeding in fall and winter as the plant is in the dormant stage and feeding at this time can lead to slow growth and fertilizer burn; brown leaf tips.

Repotting

Repot Flaming Katy every year after the rest period (cold season). Do not repot a plant that is in flower; the repotting shock can shorten the flowering period.

Select a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these terracotta pots with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Flaming Katy involves removal of dead leaves and flowers to maintain the plant clean and to discourage pests and diseases infestations.

Trim leggy or stretched stems to keep the plant bushy. Prune the tops after flowering is over to encourage a second bloom cycle.

Keep the soil almost dry for a month and then position the plant in a spot with bright light and water normally. Doing so will initiate more flowering for Christmas Kalanchoe.

Clean the leaves by wiping with a damp soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest and disease infestations.

How to Encourage Flaming Katy to Rebloom

Flaming Katy is a short day plant. This means that it requires a rest period of short days of 6 weeks to hasten flower bud formation.

To achieve this, place the plant in a dark cupboard or cover it with an opaque cardbox for 14 hours per day for 6 weeks. Alternate this with bright light for 10 hours per day during this period.

Keep the plant warm, away from drafts and do not feed or water it during this rest period.

When the flower buds appear, at the end of the 6 weeks rest period, move the plant to a brightly-lit place, water and feed it, and resume routine care.

Using this method, you can trick the Flaming Katy to bloom at any time of the year.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Propagation

Flaming Katy is propagated at the beginning of the growing season, from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings, which can be rooted either in water or in soil. Learn how to propagate Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Florist Kalanchoe).

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Problems & Remedies

Flaming Katy problems are lack of blooms, drooping leaves, leaf drop, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Lack of blooms

Lack of blooms on Flaming Katy is caused by too little light, nutrients deficiency, inconsistent watering or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not let the soil dry out completely.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents among others.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Flaming Katy is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or drafts.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at 4-6 hours of sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, windy doors among others

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is caused by overwatering or too little light.

How to fix it

Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.

Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at 4-6 hours of sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Pests

Common pests of Flaming Katy are spider mites, scale insects and aphids which are prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to avoid spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.


3. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


5. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to raise humidity to reduce the pests infestations.

Diseases

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is prone to the following 3 diseases:

1. Powdery mildew which presents as moldy leaves and flowers and is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Cut off the diseased parts and keep the plant warm while ensuring that there is good air circulation.


2. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.


3. Treat it with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


4. Do not mist or wet the plant as moisture on the foliage creates suitable conditions for this disease.

2. Leaf spot disease which is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots and is prevalent in wet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Remove and burn the affected parts to minimize spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering or water from the bottom instead.


4. Maintain good air circulation for the plant to discourage the disease.

3. Basal stem-rot disease which is promoted by overwet conditions. The disease is characterized by a rotting base and yellowing, shrivelled leaves.

How to fix it

1. Remove and discard the infected parts to reduce spread to the rest of the plant.


2. Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist; avoid overwatering.


3. Do not wet the leaves during watering to discourage the disease.


4. Ocassionally use a fungicidal solution to water the plant to prevent the disease.

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