Kalanchoe Makes a Bright Holiday Plant Choice

By Scout Nelson

Many homes and garden centers fill popular holiday plants during the winter season. While poinsettias and Christmas cactuses often receive the most attention, another plant deserves a place on the holiday list: the Kalanchoe. This plant offers bright colors, long-lasting blooms, and simple care, making it an excellent choice for gifts or home décor.

Kalanchoes are known for their vibrant flowers, which may appear in red, pink, orange, yellow, or purple. One of their strongest features is their long bloom time, which may last up to eight weeks. Their waxy leaves and scalloped edges give the plant an attractive look, helping it stand out among traditional holiday plants.

These plants come from Africa and Asia and belong to a group of succulents. Because of this, they require less water and are easy to maintain. During the blooming period, watering once a week is usually enough. After blooming, the plant needs even less water. It is important to let the soil dry between waterings, as too much moisture can cause problems.

Kalanchoes grow best in bright light. When placed in low-light conditions, they may stretch and become less compact. Since they are short-day plants, they naturally bloom in winter. After flowering, it is helpful to move the plant into a slightly larger pot and place it in a warm, sunny window.

During the summer, Kalanchoes may be placed outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. They grow well in light shades. Before the first frost, they must be brought back indoors, ideally a few months before the expected bloom period. Indoors should receive natural daylight but no extra artificial light during dark hours to support proper flower development.

Kalanchoes rarely have serious problems. Most issues come from watering too much or too little. Occasional pests such as mealybugs or aphids may appear and can be removed manually.

For more information about Kalanchoes, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/county-extension-offices.

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