Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a dark green succulent perennial from the crassulacean family, prized for its exceptional longevity of bloom and nearly effortless care. Native origins and tender growth habits place it in USDA zones 10 to 12 outdoors, though it thrives as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates. This multi-branched plant reaches 6 to 18 inches tall and wide, crowned with large umbels of fragrant, showy flowers in red, pink, or yellow that persist for weeks during its April to May bloom season. Its scalloped, fleshy leaves and upright form deliver year-round interest even when blooms fade.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-12
18in H x 18in W
—
High
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Kalanchoe delivers an extraordinarily long flowering window for a houseplant, with bright clusters that last weeks rather than days. The foliage itself adds character, with distinctive scalloped edges and dark green coloring that complements nearly any interior or succulent garden. Its extreme drought tolerance and minimal water needs mean you can travel or neglect it without guilt, and it asks for just one light fertilizer application annually, making it one of the lowest-maintenance decorative plants you can own.
Kalanchoe serves as an ornamental houseplant and landscape succulent in warm climates. Its long-lasting, showy flowers and compact form suit container growing, indoor windowsill displays, and drought-tolerant garden beds in zones 10 to 12. The plant's ability to thrive indoors under bright indirect light makes it particularly valuable for urban gardeners and those in cooler regions seeking reliable winter color.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
In zones 10 to 12, transplant rooted kalanchoe into well-drained, sandy soil after frost danger has passed, spacing plants 8 to 12 inches apart. Choose a location with full sun to moderate shade. Protect young plants from frost if temperatures drop below freezing.
Pruning is not extensively detailed in available sources; however, the upright, multi-branched growth habit suggests removing dead or leggy stems to maintain compact form and encourage bushier branching.
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“The genus name Kalanchoe traces back to a corrupted and unintelligible Chinese name of one of the original species in this succulent group. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana was likely developed through selection and cultivation by German botanists, its specific epithet honoring this horticultural legacy. Today it remains one of the most widely distributed succulents worldwide, having traveled from African origins into homes and gardens globally.”