Kalanchoe pinnata
Kalanchoe pinnata (Cathedral Bells) Care Guide
Featured photokalanchoe-pinnata.jpgKalanchoe pinnata, sold as Cathedral Bells, is a member of *Kalanchoe*, a genus of about 125 succulent Crassulaceae mostly from Madagascar and tropical Africa. A Madagascan and pantropical succulent with compound leaves and tall flowering stems carrying pendulous bell-shaped greenish-pink flowers. Like K. daigremontiana, produces plantlets along leaf margins. Kalanchoe tolerates long dry spells, propagates readily from cuttings, and is one of the easiest succulent groups for indoor cultivation.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the mix is fully dry.
- Humidity
- 30–50 %
- Temperature
- 15–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining cactus or succulent mix.
- Origin
- Madagascar and tropical Africa, with a few species across south-east Asia.
- Mature size
- 30 to 100 cm tall depending on species.
Overview
Kalanchoe pinnata sits in Kalanchoe, a genus that radiated extensively across Madagascar — the island holds the bulk of the species. A Madagascan and pantropical succulent with compound leaves and tall flowering stems carrying pendulous bell-shaped greenish-pink flowers. Like K. daigremontiana, produces plantlets along leaf margins. Most cultivated kalanchoes share a strong tolerance of neglect, rapid propagation from cuttings, and a tendency to bloom heavily in late winter or early spring.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light or a few hours of direct morning sun.
- Water deeply when the mix is fully dry, then drain.
- Free-draining gritty mix.
- Cool dry winter rest encourages flowering.
Common Problems
Mushy stems are overwatering — almost always fatal once it spreads to the base. Wilted leaves on a dry plant recover quickly after a deep watering. Aphids cluster on flower stalks and are easy to dislodge with a strong water spray.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from K. daigremontiana?
Both produce marginal plantlets, but K. pinnata has compound leaves with rounded leaflets while K. daigremontiana has simple narrow triangular leaves. K. pinnata also grows considerably larger, reaching 1 m or more in cultivation.
How do I encourage flowering?
Most Kalanchoe set flower buds in response to long nights — a six-week period with about 14 hours of darkness each night reliably triggers blooming. A dark cupboard from early evening to morning works for indoor specimens.
Can I root broken pieces?
Yes — almost any leaf or stem fragment will root on dry succulent mix within a few weeks. Several Kalanchoe species (notably K. daigremontiana) even produce ready-rooted plantlets along their leaf margins.
