Kalanchoe Purple

Selling Size : Single Plant | Pot Included | Secure Packing

Caring for a 'Kalanchoe Purple' is essentially the same as caring for any other color variety of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (often called Flaming Katy). These are hardy, easy-to-care-for succulents that thrive on a bit of neglect.

Here is a comprehensive guide to caring for your Kalanchoe Purple :

1. Light Requirements

• Bright, Indirect Light is Best: Place your plant near a sunny window (south or west-facing is ideal in the Northern Hemisphere). Bright light is crucial for maintaining a compact shape and encouraging plentiful blooms.
• Avoid Harsh Sun: While they are sun-loving, prolonged exposure to intense, direct afternoon sunlight can scorch the leaves. Filtered light or morning sun is safer.
• Low Light Sign: If the stems start to look "leggy" (long and stretched out) and the leaves are sparse, your plant needs more light.

2. Watering

• A Succulent Rule: Kalanchoe is a succulent and its leaves store water, making it extremely susceptible to root rot from overwatering.
• Allow Soil to Dry: Water only when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is completely dry. In average home conditions, this often means watering every 1–3 weeks, depending on light and temperature.
• Watering Method: Water thoroughly until you see water drain out of the pot's bottom holes.
• No Standing Water: Immediately empty the saucer after watering. The plant should never sit in water.
• Winter: Reduce watering significantly in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant.

3. Soil and Potting

• Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. A specialized cactus or succulent mix is perfect. You can also mix standard potting soil with perlite or coarse sand (a 50/50 ratio is often recommended) to ensure excellent drainage.
• Pot: Use a container with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

4. Temperature and Humidity

• Temperature: Kalanchoes prefer average indoor temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 85°F (15∘C and 29∘C).
• Avoid Cold: They are not cold-hardy and should be kept away from cold drafts, uninsulated windows in winter, and temperatures below 50∘F (10∘C).
• Humidity: Average indoor humidity is fine. Do not mist the leaves, as high humidity combined with water on the leaves can lead to fungal problems.

5. Fertilizing

• When to Feed: Fertilize during the active growing season (spring and summer).
• Fertilizer Type: Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength, once a month.
• To Encourage Blooms: A fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content (the middle number in the NPK ratio) can help promote more flowers.
• Dormancy: Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.

6. Pruning and Reblooming Kalanchoe Purple

• Deadheading: Once the purple flowers fade, trim the spent flower stalks back to the main foliage. This keeps the plant looking tidy and encourages it to focus energy on new growth.
• Pruning for Shape: You can pinch back leggy or overgrown stems in the spring to encourage a bushier, more compact plant.
• Reblooming (Short-Day Plant): To trigger new flower buds, the Kalanchoe needs a period of "short days." For about six weeks, provide the plant with:
  • 14 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness every night (e.g., placing it in a closet or under a light-proof box from 6 PM to 8 AM).
  • 8-10 hours of bright light during the day.
  • Reduced watering and no fertilizer during this six-week period.
  • After the six weeks, return the plant to its normal bright light and regular watering/feeding schedule. You should see new buds develop in a few months.