Kalanchoe Types

Looking for a houseplant that offers stunning color and is easy to care for? The diverse world of Kalanchoe types is perfect for creating a vibrant indoor garden. These succulents bring a long-lasting splash of color to your home with minimal fuss. They are known for their thick, waxy leaves and brilliant flower clusters. With so many varieties, you can find one that fits your space and style perfectly.

This guide will help you pick the right Kalanchoe and show you how to keep it thriving. We’ll cover the most popular types and their simple care needs.

Not all Kalanchoes are the same. Some are grown for their flowers, others for there unique foliage. Here are some of the best types for your home.

Flowering Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

This is the classic Kalanchoe you see in stores. It’s famous for its dense clusters of small, bright flowers.

Appearance: Dark green, scalloped leaves with flowers in red, pink, yellow, orange, or white.
Why it’s great: Provides weeks of bloom and is very adaptable to indoor conditions.
Care Tip: To encourage re-blooming, it needs a period of long nights (short-day cycles).

Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

This variety is all about dramatic, architectural leaves. It’s a foliage superstar.

Appearance: Large, flat, round leaves that look like paddles. They are pale green with red edges when grown in bright light.
Why it’s great: Makes a bold statement even without flowers. The color intensifies with sun.
Care Tip: Needs plenty of direct sunlight to develop its full color potential.

Chandelier Plant (Kalanchoe delagoensis / K. tubiflora)

This is a fascinating and fast-growing type. It’s known for its unique method of reproduction.

Appearance: Tall, narrow stems with tubular, spotted leaves. It produces tiny plantlets along the leaf edges.
Why it’s great: Looks striking and is incredibly easy to propagate from the falling plantlets.
Care Tip: Can be invasive; keep it in a pot and away from other plants it might colonize.

Flaming Katy (Also Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivars)

Often grouped with the standard blossfeldiana, some cultivars have double flowers that look like tiny roses.

Appearance: Similar leaf structure but with fuller, multi-petaled flower heads.
Why it’s great: The blooms have an extra-lush, romantic appearance.
Care Tip: The care is identical to the single-flowered varieties, making them just as easy.

Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

This fuzzy, soft Kalanchoe is a favorite for its texture and cute appearance.

Appearance: Leaves covered in dense, silvery hairs with brown or rust-colored spots on the tips.
Why it’s great: It’s soft to the touch and has a unique, velvety look. It’s very drought-tolerant.
Care Tip: Avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent rot. Water at the soil level.

Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe beharensis)

This is one of the largest Kalanchoe species you can grow indoors.

Appearance: Large, triangular, velvety leaves with a bronze-green color. The leaf edges are often wavy.
Why it’s great: It adds a tropical, dramatic feel and can become a large focal point.
Care Tip: Needs space to grow. Provide bright light and be patient, as it’s a slower grower.

How to Care for Your Indoor Kalanchoe

Keeping your Kalanchoe happy is straightforward. They thrive on a bit of neglect and the right basics.

Light Requirements

Light is the most important factor. Most Kalanchoes need plenty of bright light to look their best.

Provide at least 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily.
A south- or west-facing window is ideal for many types.
Paddle Plants and others with colored edges need some direct sun to develop there full hue.
If your plant gets leggy or pale, it needs more light.

Watering and Soil

Overwatering is the fastest way to harm a Kalanchoe. They store water in their leaves.

Use well-draining soil: A cactus or succulent mix is perfect. You can add perlite for extra drainage.
Soak and dry method: Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage hole.
Let it dry out: Wait until the top 1-2 inches of soil are completely dry before watering again. In winter, water even less.
Never let the plant sit in a saucer of water.

Temperature and Humidity

Kalanchoes prefer average home conditions, which makes them very convenient.

Keep them in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C – 29°C).
Protect them from cold drafts and temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
Average household humidity is fine. They do not need extra misting.

Feeding and Pruning

A little food and tidying up will keep your plant in top shape.

Fertilizer: Feed only during the active growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer once a month.
Deadheading: For flowering types, pinch off spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
Pruning: You can trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier growth habit. Use clean, sharp scissors.

Getting Your Kalanchoe to Bloom Again

Getting a flowering Kalanchoe to rebloom requires mimicking its natural cycle. It’s simpler than it sounds.

After the initial blooms fade, give the plant a rest period with less water.
For about 6 weeks, provide long nights (14+ hours of darkness) and shorter days. You can put it in a closet from evening until morning.
During this time, keep watering to a minimum.
After 6-8 weeks, you should see new flower buds forming. Return it to normal light.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even easy plants can have issues. Here’s how to fix common Kalanchoe problems.

Leggy Growth

This means the plant is stretching for more light.

Solution: Move it to a brighter location. You can also prune the leggy stems to promote bushier growth.

Soft, Mushy Leaves or Stems

This is a classic sign of overwatering and potential root rot.

Solution: Stop watering immediately. Check the roots. If they are brown and mushy, you may need to cut away the rot and repot in fresh, dry soil.

Brown, Dry Leaf Edges

This can be caused by too much direct, hot sun (sunburn) or under-watering over a long period.

Solution: Move the plant to a spot with bright but indirect light. Adjust your watering schedule to ensure a thorough soak when the soil is dry.

Pests

Mealybugs and aphids can sometimes appear.

Solution: Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap.

Propagating Your Kalanchoe

Sharing or expanding your collection is easy. Most Kalanchoes propagate readily from leaf or stem cuttings.

Choose a healthy leaf or a 3-4 inch stem piece. Let the cut end dry and form a callus for 1-3 days.
Place the callused cutting on top of or just inserted into moist succulent soil.
Place in bright, indirect light and water very sparingly until you see new growth.
For types like the Chandelier Plant, simply plant the tiny plantlets that fall off.

FAQ About Kalanchoe Plants

Are Kalanchoe plants toxic to pets?

Yes, Kalanchoe species are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. It’s best to keep them out of reach of curious pets.

How long do Kalanchoe flowers last?

The blooms can last for several weeks, sometimes even months, with proper care. Deadheading spent flowers helps.

Can I put my Kalanchoe outside in summer?

Yes, you can! Acclimate it gradually to outdoor light. Place it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Bring it back inside before temperatures drop in fall.

Why are the leaves on my Panda Plant losing their spots?

Insufficient light is usually the cause. The brown tips and spots become more pronounced when the plant receives adequate bright light.

How often should I repot my Kalanchoe?

Repot every 2-3 years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes. Use a pot only one size larger with fresh succulent mix.

With there wide range of forms and colors, Kalanchoe types offer something for every indoor gardener. Whether you choose a florist’s favorite for its cheerful blooms or a fuzzy Panda Plant for its texture, these succulents are reliable and rewarding. By providing bright light, careful watering, and the occasional trim, you can enjoy a vibrant indoor garden for years to come. Start with one, and you might just find yourself collecting these fascinating plants.