Kalanchoe blooms in many colors, spurred on by the shorter hours of sunlight in winter.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
Kalanchoe is a succulent plant that hails from the subtropics of Madagascar, which suggests it could be a popular showoff outdoors in the steamy heat of our South Carolina summers. Instead, it is usually found full of blooms in the winter at local nurseries, waiting to be taken home as a houseplant to sustain gardeners visually while they wait for the glory that will be yet another spring.
What gives?
Like the poinsettia with its subtropical origins, kalanchoe’s flower development is set off by lessening sunlight and shorter days at the end of the year. This process normally takes about three months, meaning the blossoms are usually primed to pop from midwinter to early spring.
And when a kalanchoe’s blooms pop, they do it big time, covering the 12-inch-tall plant with long-lasting clusters of small, sprite-like, four-petaled blossoms in solid colors that vary in sassy shades of yellow, white, purple, pink and orange.
There are more than 100 species of kalanchoe, but the beauty typically found blooming in garden shops is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. As a subtropical native-turned-houseplant, it does require certain conditions to not only survive but thrive. Top on the list is sunlight—the more you can pour on kalanchoe in the winter, the better. This means usually setting it in a south-facing window, but don’t let the leaves touch the glass because they could be bitten by bitter cold coming through the panes on freezing nights.
Kalanchoe is susceptible to root rot, but this bugaboo can be prevented by replanting in a slightly larger container with quality, well-draining potting soil that has been further fluffed up with a good dose of perlite. Also, only water the pot when the soil surface is dry to the touch. A diluted fertilizer solution can be included once a month in your irrigation routine during the spring and summer.
A vacation outside in the summer will please this warm-weather lover. Set it in a location under high shade away from direct afternoon sunlight because strong summer rays can scorch the leaves.
Give attention to kalanchoe-loving bad bugs such as scale, aphids and mealy bugs trying to besmirch your plant before it is taken inside by early autumn for another sassy, cold-season bloom session.
February in the garden
• If you had any problems last year with your lawn mower, weed trimmer, tiller, leaf blower or other such motorized garden helpers, this is a good month to have them looked over, tuned up or repaired by qualified small-engine mechanics before they are swamped with springtime business.
• Keep the bird feeder well stocked with seed, and, at least once a week, rinse and refill the bird bath with clean water. Your feathered friends will appreciate your extra efforts during these coldest days of winter!
Tip of the month
Does the call of the wild have you thinking about adding native plants to your landscape this year? Need advice? Have a ton of questions? Let the South Carolina Native Plant Society help. Its seven chapters across the state will be quite active this growing season with lectures, demonstrations, field trips, symposiums and plant sales. To find out the when-and-where particulars of their coming activities, as well as to dive into the group’s wealth of native plant information and resources, visit scnps.org.
L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.