Flaming Katy: plant care, varieties & propagation of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Despite the flaming Katy’s dramatic appearance, it is a very low-maintenance houseplant that can liven up any living space. Here is everything you need to know about this unique succulent.

While caring for the flaming Katy (Kalanchoë blossfeldiana) succulent is relatively straightforward during its flowering period, special care must be taken in winter so the plant can flower again. Below is what to consider and do when caring for the flaming Katy succulent.

Flaming Katy: origin and characteristics

Flaming Katy, also known as widow’s thrill or Christmas kalanchoë, belongs to the Kalanchoë family in the Crassula genus. It is an evergreen shrub and originates from Madagascar. The flaming Katy is a rather petite succulent and reaches a maximum height of around 30cm. Flaming Katy flowers from February to June and with proper care can even sustain blooms for several years. It is interesting to note that the flaming Katy is a so-called “short-day” plant. This essentially means that in order to start flowering, the Kalanchoë blossfeldiana needs a resting period, where it sees little daylight. Without a proper rest period, flaming Katy will not flower in the following year.

The most beautiful flaming Katy varieties

The name flaming Katy most likely comes from the plant’s scarlet flowers. However, through breeding, nowadays flaming Katy can be found in an array of colours. Here are some of the most beautiful flaming Katy varieties.

• Kalanchoë blossfeldiana ‘Calandiva’: This variety produces double flowers, which makes them especially eye-catching. ‘Calandiva’ comes in almost every colour; from yellow to pink to orange or white.
• Kalanchoë blossfeldiana ‘Tom Thumb’: As the name implies, the ‘Tom Thumb’ variety is smaller than the average Kalanchoë plant. This bite-sized variety reaches a maximum height of 15cm and blooms in red.
• Kalanchoë blossfeldiana ‘Goldrand’: The ‘Goldrand’ flaming Katy variety on the other hand is a larger variety and grows up to 30cm tall.
• Kalanchoë blossfeldiana ‘Orange Triumph’: As the name implies, this Kalanchoë variety has a bold orange flower.

Tip: Flaming Katy plants fresh from the store are often stouter. This is because plant growth is stunted by special hormones, sprays, etc. After some time at home, the flaming Katy should develop normally again and even begin to sprawl. So, do not fret if your flaming Katy begins to change shape in its first month at home! Flaming Katy plants enjoy growing wide, and it is natural for them to spread out. If you prefer more compact plants, you can encourage this by annually pruning the plant, using low nitrogen fertilization, and keeping them in areas with low humidity.

Planting flaming Katy: location and method

The right location for flaming Katy

While flaming Katy plants prefer sunny places, direct sunlight at midday should be avoided. The temperature should be ideally between 18 and 22°C; above 25°C the plants will grow very tall and appear slightly “sunburnt”, and below 15°C plant growth will be stunted. From May to August, you can put the flaming Katy outdoors in a bright and rain-protected place in the garden. Spending time outdoors is good for flaming Katy plants as long as temperatures stay in the double digits. If it gets too cold, be sure to bring your flaming Katy back indoors. As mentioned before, Kalanchoë needs special conditions to flower in the winter. Below are special instructions on how to help flaming Katy bloom during the winter.

Tip:Flaming Katy plants do not tolerate ethylene gases that are emitted by exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, or ripening fruit. When exposed to ethylene gases, the flaming Katy’s flowers will prematurely wilt. Never place the Kalanchoë next to a fruit bowl, in a smoker’s room, or in the garage. A regularly ventilated room is perfect for this sensitive succulent.

How to grow flaming Katy

After purchase, immediately plant your flaming Katy directly into a suitable pot. After purchase remove the old, often unsuitable soil from the roots and place the Kalanchoë in fresh soil. This should in any case have a drainage hole. Succulents do not tolerate a lot of water. Flaming Katy plants should always be planted in permeable soil so that there is no excess build-up of water. It is best to use a special succulent or cactus soil that is precisely tailored to the needs of water-retaining plants to support water drainage, a layer of clay shards or comparable material at the bottom of the pot is suitable.

Growing flaming Katy in the garden

Because flaming Katy plants are so sensitive to cool temperatures, they should never be planted permanently in the garden. However, it is possible to keep the Kalanchoë blossfeldiana outside during the warm summer months. In fact, it can even help the plant’s overall health. Place the plant in a container and put it in a sunny spot in the garden. A location protected from rain will ensure that the soil does not become soggy, and the plant does not waterlog. As soon as it gets colder than 10° C, the plant should be brought back indoors from the balcony or garden.

The flaming Katy as a houseplant

The flaming Katy feels comfortable all year round indoors; a spot that is either too sunny or too shady can result in pale flowers or damage to the leaves from sun exposure. An east- or west-facing window is usually best for flaming Katy plants. However, a short stay outdoors can support the plant’s overall vitality.

Flaming Katy plant care

Like most succulents, flaming Katy plants are uncomplicated. The main thing to avoid is overwatering your flaming Katy.

Cutting, watering, and fertilising flaming Katy plants

As a succulent, flaming Katy can store water very well and when it comes to watering, less is always more. Only water the Kalanchoë blossfeldiana once the soil feels dry, even at a depth of 2 to 3cm. It is best to use water that is low in lime or tap water that has been boiled and cooled. Water that is still in the plant’s saucer after about 15 minutes should be poured off so that it does not remain stagnant underneath the plant. Even less water is needed in winter than in summer, but the root zone should never dry out completely.

Succulents do not usually require high levels of nutrients. However, since flaming Katy is a flowering succulent, fertiliser can help it flower. Potassium is an especially important nutrient that should be supplied during the flowering period – particularly fertilisers like our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, which helps strengthen the plant and support its growth as it begins to flower. From March to August, i.e., during the flaming Katy’s flowering period, you can add some fertiliser to the soil while watering every four weeks to help meet the plant’s increased nutrient needs.

If you want to prune your flaming Katy, make sure to use a sharp knife. Flaming Katy plants should be deadheaded regularly. Generous pruning can be done after the flowering period and is only useful if the plant looks uneven. To properly prune a flaming Katy cut shoots above the leaf axis or a thick area. The cut shoots and leaves can then be used to propagate the flaming Katy. More information on how to use cut shoots and leaves to propagate flaming Katy can be found below.

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Flaming Katy plants should be pruned and repotted every two to three years to further support plant growth. Kalanchoë blossfeldiana should also be provided with fresh soil in the spring.

Caring for flaming Katy plants after they have flowered

Once your flaming Katy plant has fully bloomed, it should be deadheaded and treated to a rest period, which is necessary for this succulent to be able to flower in the following year. To let your flaming Katy properly rest, reduce its amount of light exposure, including sunlight and artificial lights such as lamps or even the television. Putting a cardboard box over the plant for the remaining 14 hours or simply placing it in a cupboard can help this succulent properly rest. More than 10 hours of light per day will cause greening and no flower buds will be formed. Slightly lower temperatures between 15 and 18°C are also recommended for this rest period. During the 6-to-8-week dormancy period, water your flaming Katy less and do not fertilise it at all.

How to treat yellow leaves, leaf loss, and other diseases

Generally, flaming Katy plants are very hardy and often not susceptible to disease. That being said, the Kalanchoë may not thrive as much as desired. Here is how to treat a few common problems that affect this succulent.

• Blooms won’t form: The location is right and you’re taking proper care of your flaming Katy, but it just won’t bloom. Be sure to give your succulent a rest period for around 6 to 8 weeks in the winter. Otherwise, new flower buds will not form. Excess water or fertilizer can also negatively impact blooms.
• Yellow leaves: If flaming Katy leaves begin to yellow, waterlogging is usually the problem. If the Kalanchoë is too wet, it should definitely be repotted and watered less going forward. Root rot caused by waterlogging can also cause flaming Katy plants to droop and look limp and weak.
• White coating: Even though pests are usually not a problem, flaming Katy can still be affected by powdery mildew. This can be recognized by the white, wipeable coating on the leaves. Infested plant parts should immediately be cut back. Since dryness usually causes a mildew outbreak, watering should be done regularly.

Propagating flaming Katy plants

Both shoot and leaf cuttings are excellent for propagating Kalanchoë blossfeldiana and are best obtained after the flaming Katy’s spring flowering.

For shoot cuttings, cut a shoot diagonally with a sharp knife. Shoot cuttings should have at least two pairs of leaves. Remove the lower pair of leaves and then place the cutting in growing medium or sand-enriched cactus soil. A plastic bag placed over the cutting will create a humid climate and support the growth of the seedlings by reducing evaporation. The bag should be aired about once a day to prevent mould from forming. Place the pot with the cuttings in a bright and warm place at about 20 to 22°C.

To propagate leaf cuttings, cut off adult leaves with a sharp knife. Again, a moist growing medium and a bright and warm location are essential for propagating a new flaming Katy plant. Carefully score the leaf veins with a knife and place the leaves on the soil incisions facing up. Now weigh down the leaves, for example, with a small stone, and regularly moisten them. Here, cling film can be used to increase the humidity. The incised leaf veins should quickly form new plantlets.

Wintering

Flaming Katy plants are absolutely not winter-hardy, and it is essential to winter them indoors. The cold season is used for short-day plants to put on the flower the next year. Here’s what an ideal 6-to-8-week period in the winter looks like for flaming Katy:

• At least 14 hours of darkness per day
• Less watering
• No fertilisation
• Cool temperatures between 15 and 18°C

Is flaming Katy poisonous?

While the flaming Katy poses no danger to humans, it is poisonous to cats.

Flaming Katy is only one among other flowering succulents. Here is a comprehensive list of the most beautiful flowering succulents.