How Often Do Kalanchoes Bloom? A Guide to Getting These Succulents to Flower Again and Again

Kalanchoes are popular succulent houseplants known for their lush foliage and colorful blooms Their vibrant flower clusters in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white make them stand out in any indoor space But how often do these plants actually produce flowers?

Like some other succulents, kalanchoes bloom once a year for a few months—but with the right care and tricks, you can get them to flower more than once. Here is a complete guide to understanding the kalanchoe bloom cycle and how to get your plants reblooming over and over again.

The Natural Bloom Habits of Kalanchoe

In their native tropical regions, kalanchoes can bloom nearly year-round when conditions are right. But when grown as houseplants, they tend to flower during the late winter and spring.

The key factor influencing their bloom cycle is light exposure. Kalanchoes are short-day plants meaning they will produce flowers when the days start getting shorter in the fall and winter. During this time, they require at least 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night to form flower buds.

Once daylight hours start increasing again in spring, the flower buds will begin to open This results in a bloom period that typically lasts from late winter into spring—February through May in many cases.

So in their natural growth habit, kalanchoes will bloom once a year for a few months. But with some simple tricks, you can fool them into blooming more than once.

Encouraging More Frequent Blooms

Here are some tips to get your kalanchoe to rebloom more than once per year:

• Cut back on water and fertilizer – Allow the plant to enter a brief dormant period by reducing water and fertilizer. This signals the plant to conserve energy.

• Give extended dark periods – To mimic short winter days, place the plant in a dark closet or cover it for 12-14 hours every night for 6-8 weeks. This long dark period will initiate flower bud formation.

• Provide bright light – After the dark treatment, return the plant to a sunny south or west facing window to encourage the buds to open. Bright light signals spring to the plant.

• Pinch off old blooms – Deadhead spent flowers by pinching them off to direct energy into new buds instead of dead blooms.

• Stick to optimal conditions – Keep the plant at 65-75°F and allow soil to dry out between waterings for robust reblooming.

With this simple process of manipulating light and mimicking seasonal changes, you can fool kalanchoes into blooming multiple times per year. Just be sure to allow recovery time between periods.

Factors that Influence Natural Bloom Frequency

Aside from intentionally inducing blooming, there are some other factors that play a role in kalanchoe’s natural bloom habits:

• Plant variety – Some kalanchoe species or cultivars bloom more readily than others. For example, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is known for abundant flowers.

• Plant maturity – Mature, well-established kalanchoe plants tend to bloom more freely than younger plants. Allow new plants time to grow before expecting many flowers.

• Sunlight – Kalanchoes require ample sunlight, at least 4 hours of direct sun per day, to trigger blooms. Too little light results in no flowers.

• Soil and watering – Allow soil to dry out between waterings and use well-draining soil. Excess moisture inhibits flowering.

• Temperature – Cooler temperatures around 60-70°F help encourage blooms. Avoid excess heat above 80°F.

• Pruning – Pinching off spent blooms promotes reblooming by directing energy into new buds. Regular deadheading is key.

• Fertilizer – Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at 1⁄2 strength during growth periods to fuel blooms. Avoid overfeeding.

By optimizing these factors in their care, you can maximize kalanchoe’s natural bloom potential.

Troubleshooting Lack of Blooms

If your kalanchoe isn’t blooming, here are some common issues to check:

• Insufficient sunlight – Kalanchoes require very bright light, like a south or west window. Too little light prevents flowering.

• Too much fertilizer – Excess fertilizer leads to weak, leggy growth unable to bloom. Stick to occasional light feeding.

• Incorrect temperatures – Blooms suffer if the plant gets too cold (below 50°F) or too hot (above 80°F).

• Overwatering – Excess moisture can cause root rot. Allow soil to dry out before rewatering.

• Pests – Check for pests like mealybugs and scale insects. They sap plant energy needed for blooming.

• Natural dormancy – Periodic leaf drop and rest is normal. Allow time to rejuvenate before new flowers.

• Insufficient dormancy – The plant may need a stronger dark period trigger to enter bloom mode.

With proper care catered to kalanchoe’s preferences, most plants will reward you with their signature flowers. Focus on providing the right amounts of light, water, and dormancy periods for the most abundant blooms.

The Takeaway

• Kalanchoes naturally bloom once a year in late winter/spring for a few months when grown as houseplants.

• They require extended darkness to initiate flower buds, followed by ample sunlight for the buds to open.

• With light and water manipulation, you can trick kalanchoes into blooming more than once per year.

• Adequate sunlight, proper temperatures, deadheaded spent blooms, and well-draining soil are vital for continual maximum flower production.

• Troubleshoot lack of blooms by adjusting care to match the plant’s needs.

With the proper growing conditions and care, kalanchoes will delight you with their colorful flowers. Understand their natural rhythms and bloom habits for ongoing success growing these flowering succulent beauties.