Kalanchoe succulents are popular houseplants recognized for their colorful blooms and fleshy leaves. There are over 100 species of kalanchoe, many of which produce yellow flowers. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best yellow-flowering kalanchoe varieties and provide tips on how to grow and care for them successfully.
Why Choose a Yellow-Flowering Kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe succulents are loved for their long-lasting flowers that add a pop of color indoors during winter. While kalanchoe come in shades of red, pink, orange, white and more, yellow is one of the most common bloom colors.
Yellow kalanchoe blooms have a bright cheery look that’s perfect for decorating your home. They provide a ray of sunshine during dreary winter months. Some people appreciate yellow kalanchoe specifically for their associations with happiness, optimism and friendship.
If you’re looking to add low-maintenance color to your indoor plant collection, a yellow-flowering kalanchoe is a great option. These succulents are easy to care for and their blooms can last for weeks.
Popular Yellow-Flowering Kalanchoe Varieties
Here are some of the most popular yellow kalanchoe varieties to consider:
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
This species is the most commonly grown flowering kalanchoe. It produces clusters of small yellow, orange, pink or red blooms for 6-8 weeks in winter. Leaves are dark green and scalloped. There are many cultivars, including ‘Lemon Drop’ with bright lemon-yellow blooms.
Kalanchoe marmorata
Also called penwiper plant, this kalanchoe has light green leaves with purple striping. It bears terminal clusters of star-shaped yellow blooms in late winter.
Kalanchoe luciae
Known as paddle plant, this succulent has big, rounded green leaves that turn red on the edges when stressed. It blooms with tall stalks of yellow bell-shaped flowers in spring.
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
This species has gray-green leaves with a powdery bloom. Cultivars like ‘Sunset’ and ‘Lemon Drop’ produce yellow blooms on short stems in winter.
Kalanchoe pumila
Known as flower dust plant, this trailing succulent has velvety gray-green leaves. It blooms with fuzzy pink and yellow flowers in winter.
Kalanchoe tomentosa
The panda plant has fuzzy green leaves with brown spots. It rarely blooms, but may produce clusters of yellow flowers on tall stalks.
Growing Yellow-Flowering Kalanchoe Indoors
Kalanchoe succulents are easy to grow indoors. Here are some tips:
Light: Give kalanchoe bright, indirect light indoors. Some direct morning sun is okay. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth.
Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. Add perlite to improve drainage.
Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in winter. Take care not to overwater, as it may cause root rot.
Temperature: Ideal temps are 55-80°F. Avoid cold drafts.
Fertilizer: Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Don’t fertilize in fall and winter.
Repotting: Repot in spring every 2-3 years in a planter one size larger. Take care not to damage roots.
Encouraging Kalanchoe to Bloom
Getting kalanchoe to rebloom indoors takes some effort. Here are a few tips:
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Place the plant in complete darkness for 12-14 hours per night for 6-8 weeks in fall. A closet or box over the plant works.
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Allow plenty of bright, indirect light during the daytime.
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Cut back on water and don’t fertilize during this rest period.
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Prune back leggy growth after flowering finishes to encourage new blooms.
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Stressing the plant slightly by withholding water may promote buds.
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A fertilizer higher in phosphorus can encourage flowering.
With the proper conditions, most kalanchoe can be coaxed into blooming each winter or spring. Be patient, as it may take a few seasons to get the reblooming timeline right.
Growing Kalanchoe Outdoors
In warm climates (zones 10-12), kalanchoe can be grown outdoors year-round. Those in zones 9b-10a can grow kalanchoe outdoors seasonally:
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Move kalanchoe outside after the last frost date in spring.
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Choose an area with partial shade to full sun. Protect from hot afternoon sun.
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Prepare soil with compost to improve drainage. Do not allow soil to become waterlogged.
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Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Reduce watering in winter.
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Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
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Bring kalanchoe back indoors before first fall frost.
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Cut back on water and stop fertilizing during winter dormancy.
When cared for properly and given adequate light, outdoor kalanchoe will reward you with masses of blooms each year. Shelter from frost to overwinter.
Troubleshooting Yellow Kalanchoe
Here are some common problems and solutions if your yellow kalanchoe isn’t thriving:
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Leggy growth: Increase light exposure. Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth.
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Few blooms: Give more sunlight, prune after flowering, water less in fall to induce buds.
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Wilty leaves: Check for root rot and reduce watering. Repot in fresh soil if needed.
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Leaf spotting: Usually caused by overwatering. Allow soil to fully dry out before watering again.
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Dropping leaves: Can result from under or overwatering. Adjust watering practices.
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Mealybugs or aphids: Wipe off pests with cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use insecticidal soap as needed.
With proper light, water, temperature and occasional pruning, yellow-flowering kalanchoe succulents are easy to maintain and will provide gorgeous blooms year after year. Be sure to watch for pests, adjust watering carefully and provide adequate sun for the healthiest plants.
Best Tips for KALANCHOE Plant Care – How Professionals Care For Their Kalanchoes #kalanchoe
FAQ
How do you care for yellow Kalanchoe?
- Kalanchoes need bright, indirect light to encourage growth and blooms.
- Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
- They can tolerate bright indoor light levels, but will appear spindly in low light conditions.
What to do with Kalanchoe after flowering?
- Remove Spent Blooms: Pinch or snip off dead or dying blooms at the base of the cluster using your fingers or pruning shears.
- Trim Flower Stalks: Use pruning shears to cut the flower stalk back to the second or third leaf. This encourages branching and a bushier plant.
- Prune for Shape: If the plant looks leggy, prune it back to encourage fuller, bushier growth.
- Remove Dead or Damaged Leaves: Cut off any yellow, brown, or decaying leaves and stems at the base.
- Care for the Plant: Provide bright light, allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and consider repotting in a slightly larger pot if needed.
- Consider Sunlight: If the plant looks leggy after pruning, move it to a sunnier location.
- Prepare for Rebloom: To encourage another bloom, place the plant in a dark place for 12-14 hours daily and then in bright light for the remaining hours.
How many times a year does Kalanchoe bloom?
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Natural Blooming Cycle:Kalanchoe plants naturally bloom when they experience shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures, which typically occurs in late winter or early spring.
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Stimulating Reblooming:To encourage reblooming, you can mimic these natural conditions by exposing the plant to 12-14 hours of darkness for about 6 weeks before the desired blooming period.
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Year-Round Blooming:With proper care and consistent manipulation of light, Kalanchoe plants can be coaxed into blooming multiple times throughout the year, even year-round, says The Spruce.
Is Florist Kalanchoe an indoor plant?
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Indoor Preference:Kalanchoe is native to tropical regions and does not tolerate frost or prolonged cold exposure. This makes it a better choice for indoor environments, where temperature and light conditions can be more easily controlled.
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Outdoor Potential:In warm climates (zones 10-12), Kalanchoe can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler regions, they can be moved outdoors during the warmer months and brought back indoors before temperatures drop.
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Light Requirements:Kalanchoe thrives in bright, indirect light indoors, such as near a south or east-facing window. Outdoors, they prefer bright, filtered light or morning sun.
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Soil and Watering:They need well-draining soil, like a cactus or succulent mix, and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry.
Do Kalanchoe need sun or shade?
Kalanchoe requires bright, indirect sunlight to encourage growth and blooms. Place your plants in a room with lots of natural light, but do not place them directly in a windowsill as direct sunlight can scorch leaves. As succulents, Kalanchoe watering needs are minimal because their leaves store water.
Are Kalanchoe a flowering succulent?
‘Calandiva’ is a flowering succulent that produces delightful red, orange or yellow flowers resembling small roses. Blossfeldiana is the most popular flowering succulent species of kalanchoe. These pretty plants can be found at nurseries, hardware stores and even supermarkets.
Do Kalanchoe plants rebloom?
The kalanchoe plant is a succulent and is easy to care for and grow. Lucky owners of a kalanchoe plant can look forward to flowers on the plant for at least a month or more. The gently scalloped leaves and appealing bushy form combine to make an eye-catching plant. Caring for a kalanchoe isn’t difficult, but getting it to rebloom can be tricky.
Which Kalanchoe plants produce small plantlets?
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is one of the more fascinating succulent types, with an impressive reproductive strategy. It produces small plantlets along the margins of its leaves, which can be grown into new plants. This intriguing succulent has narrow leaves with red margins and can be a conversation piece in your garden. 6. Kalanchoe Tubiflora
When do Kalanchoe succulents Bloom?
Kalanchoe succulent types typically burst into full bloom during the late winter and early spring months. This timing couldn’t be more perfect, as these colorful displays brighten up your garden precisely when many other plants are still in their winter slumber.
Where can I find Kalanchoe flowers?
Blossfeldiana is the most popular flowering succulent species of kalanchoe. These pretty plants can be found at nurseries, hardware stores and even supermarkets. Particularly during the winter when they display their wonderful, long-lasting blooms.
What does Kalanchoe uniflora look like?
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe uniflora This beautiful epiphytic succulent has climbing stems with bright green fleshy leaves. It blooms in bell-shaped, bright red to red-violet flowers. 7.