Kalanchoe pinnata Plant: Care and Propagation Guide
Kalanchoe pinnata plant is a succulent that mainly grows in Madagascar, although it has now become a widely kept houseplant while also growing naturally in tropical climates. This plant has several popular names such as the air plant, cathedral bells, miracle leaf and life plant.
This plant has various columnar stems that give rise to green leaves with a brown-red border. These leaves often appear curled in. There is also a constant bloom of red flowers.
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Contents
How To Care For Kalanchoe pinnata Plant
Kalanchoe pinnata is a hardy plant. It does not need too much attention and thrives on minimal care. Here are the detailed requirements of the Kalanchoe pinnata plant:
Light
The Kalanchoe pinnata plant loves the sun. However, direct sunlight might prove harmful, especially if you live in an area with very hot summers.
Place your succulent in lightly shaded locations to protect them from harsh sunlight during the day. If you keep them indoors, opt for window sills that receive plenty of light throughout the day.
Watering
You need to be careful while watering the Kalanchoe pinnata plant. They are a drought-resistant plant species, so you need to take care not to overwater them. Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Overwatering will lead to the rotting of the roots and leaves. This can also cause fungal growth, which can quickly take over the entire plant. On the other hand, if you don’t give the plant enough water, the leaves will start drooping and falling off.
Soil
Any soil mix meant for succulents will work great for the Kalanchoe pinnata plant. Succulent soil mixes have good draining power, which is exactly what these plants need since they are prone to overwatering.
If you are making a soil mix at home, take sand and a mixture of peat moss and clay. Mix them together in a ratio of 1:1. This will create a fast-draining medium suitable for most succulents. You can lower the amount of sand if you feel that the potting mix is too loose.
Fertilizing
The Kalanchoe pinnata plant does not need fertilizer. It is a hardy plant and does well with the nutrients already present in the soil.
If you want to attempt to make your plant more lush and healthy, you can start adding a slow-release fertilizer every month. Liquid fertilizer also works well for this succulent.
Climate
The Kalanchoe pinnata plant thrives in warm climates. They love the sunlight and bloom during the summer.
They can survive cold temperatures during the winter, but ideally, the temperature should not drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with extremely cold winters, you need to move your plant indoors to prevent them from freezing.
If you cannot move your Kalanchoe pinnata plant indoors, you can cover it with a frost cloth to protect it from the cold.
Pests and Diseases
Kalanchoe pinnata plants are not at risk for many pests or diseases. Like all succulents, they are vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids. You need to stay on the lookout for these pests by regularly inspecting the leaves of the plant.
You can wipe down the leaves with an insecticide to get rid of these pests. If you are looking for an organic solution to these pests, neem oil is a good alternative. Make sure to use a diluted version or you will end up burning the plant.
Propagating the Kalanchoe pinnata Plant
The Kalanchoe pinnata plant can be propagated both from its stems and leaves. It is a very straightforward process that even amateur gardeners can successfully complete.
The propagation method is the same whether you choose to propagate with stems or leaves. First of all, take a pair of sterilized gardening shears and snip off a few cuttings of the stems or leaves.
Let the cuttings dry out in a sunny spot. You need to let the wounds heal completely and form calluses before you propagate them. If you get impatient during this stage, you will leave the propagated plant vulnerable to root or stem rot.
Once the cuttings are ready, spread them out on top of a succulent soil mix. Do not water them directly, instead gently mist them with water about 5 times a day. Keep the cuttings away from harsh sunlight.
When the cuttings take root in the soil, you can start watering them. Care for them the same way you would care for a full-grown succulent. When the cuttings are big enough, you can transfer them to individual pots.