Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is the florist kalanchoe, a Madagascan succulent with thick, scalloped, glossy leaves and dense clusters of small four-petalled flowers in red, pink, orange, yellow, or white. It is one of the most-sold flowering houseplants and one of the longest-blooming, with each cluster lasting 6 to 8 weeks. It is cardiac-glycoside toxic and should be kept away from pets.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 30–50 %
- Temperature
- 15–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining mix of standard houseplant soil with extra perlite.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Cardiac glycosides — keep out of children's reach. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Kalanchoe listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Madagascar.
- Mature size
- 30 to 45 cm tall.
Overview
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana was introduced from Madagascar in the 1930s and quickly became a year-round florist plant through controlled-photoperiod greenhouse culture. Indoor plants flower naturally in late winter and spring.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light or a little direct sun.
- Allow the top of the mix to dry between waterings.
- Free-draining mix.
- After flowering, trim spent flower stalks and let the plant rest before re-blooming.
Common Problems
Mushy stems are overwatering. No re-bloom is usually because of insufficient short-day exposure (kalanchoes are short-day plants and need long nights to set flowers). Powdery mildew can occur in stagnant air.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
How do I get it to re-bloom?
Kalanchoes are short-day plants and need 6 to 8 weeks of 14-hour nights (e.g., kept in a dark room or covered overnight) to trigger re-flowering.
Is it really toxic?
Yes — cardiac glycosides can cause heart-rate disturbances if ingested in quantity. Keep firmly out of reach of pets and children.
Why does it stop flowering?
Each flower cluster lasts 6 to 8 weeks. The plant naturally rests between blooms; deadhead spent stalks and the plant typically pushes new flowers in 3 to 6 months.
