Do you want to bring your favorite kalanchoe outside for the summer? Wait until nighttime temperatures are above 65 degrees F, then set it outside where it will get morning sun but be protected from the strong afternoon rays (which are a bit too intense for plants used to softer indoor light). When the temperature starts to drop again, bring your kalanchoe back inside.
How to plant a Kalanchoe
1. Choose a pot that is no more than 2 inches wider than the root ball of your new kalanchoe. Make sure it also has drainage holes.
2. Fill the pot ⅓ full with Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix, which provides the excellent drainage your new baby plant needs, plus some food to start growing strong.
3. Carefully remove the kalanchoe from the original container and place it in the new pot so that the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim (to allow for watering).
4. Fill in around the root ball with more potting mix and pat gently.
5. Water your kalanchoe well, let it drain, then move it to its new home. Be sure to place the pot on a plate so that moisture does not leak onto your furniture.
potted yellow kalanchoe plant sitting on the table
How to water a Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are succulents, which means they store water in their leaves and do not need soil to be constantly moist. In fact, waterlogged soils will cause the stem of your new kalanchoe to rot – and you don’t want that! The best rule of thumb for watering a kalanchoe is to stick your finger in the soil every few days. When the top 2 inches of soil is dry (all the way dry, not just kind of dry), it’s time to water. Indoors, this will probably mean you only need to water every two or three weeks, but be sure to check regularly. Outdoors during the summer, be sure to move your kalanchoe undercover if the forecast calls for several inches of rain. It is also worth knowing that during the winter it will grow more slowly, which leads to an even longer time between waterings.
How to feed a Kalanchoe
Just as you need regular meals to stay strong, your kalanchoe also needs to be fed. About a month after planting, it starts to get hungry. Here’s what will satisfy its cravings: Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food, which is specially formulated to instantly provide succulent plants with just the right amount and type of nutrition. Simply apply directly to the soil and water as usual. Use 2 pumps for small pots and 5 pumps for larger pots (over 6 inches in diameter). Don’t forget to read and follow the instructions!
Kalanchoes, like many succulents, are super easy to propagate, which is just a fancy word for producing more plants from your original. Just break off a leaf or piece of leafy stem (not a flower stem), let it dry for a couple of days, then stick in a pot of dry soil. When you see new leaves starting to form at the base of the stem or leaf and the baby plants show some resistance when you give them a gentle tug (meaning they have developed roots), you can start watering. The result? A bunch of really cool gifts that won’t cost you anything for your besties.
How to Prune a Kalanchoe
You mainly want to prune your kalanchoe to keep it looking good. Remove flowers after they dry (a process called deadheading), along with any dry, brown leaves or branches. You may also want to give your plant companion a trim for size and shape when it’s finished flowering.
