Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, from the mountains of Madagascar to florists' stalls

European botanists discovered Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in Madagascar less than a century ago. Since then, this fat plant of the Crassulaceae family has invaded florists' windows and the shelves of succulent flower lovers.

How to recognize Kalanchoe blossfeldiana?

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a perennial succulent with a bushy habit. Grown in pots and indoors, it grows to no more than 40 cm tall.

It has an upright, medium-green stem. Coriaceous, it lignifies with age.

The petiolate leaves are the same shiny green as the stem. They are elliptical, almost triangular, and can be recognized by their serrated margins and fleshy, waxy appearance.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is so popular for its flowering. In spring, tubular, four-petaled flowers brighten up the foliage. In the Tsaratanana mountains, the wild variety reveals a red inflorescence with a single, umbellate corolla. But garden centers offer a wide range of cultivars, in orange, pink, violet, yellow or white, with single or double corollas.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a poisonous plant, like kalanchoe tomentosa or daigremont Kalanchoe. The stem, limbs and flowers contain bufadienolides, a dangerous substance that affects the nervous and muscular systems when ingested. In Madagascar, farmers keep their livestock away from Kalanchoe plants to avoid any risk. Make sure you do the same at home with your pets!

Our maintenance tips

Although blossfeld Kalanchoes can't stand the cold, they adapt very well to the dry air of our apartments, even in winter. Regular watering and a little care are all it takes to grow them indoors.

Watering

Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimeters. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, filtered water or mineral water.

Don 't let water stagnate in the planter or saucer, as it may rot the roots.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Kalanchoe blossfeldiana to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Get a pot with holes in it. Over time, foliage can become imposing. To prevent its weight from tipping the container over, choose a heavy model, in terracotta or ceramic for example. Line the bottom with pebbles.

This variety appreciates rich, well-drained soil. You can combine potting soil for flowering plants or heather soil with perlite or pozzolan. Pour in a layer of substrate, then plant your specimen in the center. Fill in with the rest of the mixture.

Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Feed your Blossfeld's Kalanchoe with a fertilizer for flowering plants.

Prune

After flowering, remove flowering stems and spent flowers. Cut flush with a clean, sharp instrument, such as pruning shears or scissors.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate a healthy, flowerless stem. Using clean, sharp pruning shears, remove a section about ten centimeters long.

Remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours, until a callus forms at the base.

In a pierced pot, pour a layer of gravel or clay balls, followed by the substrate. To promote growth, choose a rich potting soil such as horticultural compost or seedling and planting soil. You can add sand for drainage. Plant your graft and cover the roots with soil.

Place your cutting in a bright spot away from direct sunlight.

Diseases / Threats

Downy mildew

Aphids

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Crassulaceae - Crassulaceae
Type	Kalanchoë - Kalanchoe
Species	Blossfeld's Kalanchoe - Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Flowery Succulent
Tags	Beginner Flowery Fritillary Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color
Flower colors