Kalanchoe: the homeland of the houseplant and how to care for it at home

Kalanchoe is a very common plant, but few owners know the story of its origin. Knowing where the Kalanchoe plant originated on our windowsills and where it originated will help you determine proper care and avoid mistakes. Growing the plant in apartments often serves more than just decorative purposes; it is widely used in folk medicine and is a source of many beneficial microelements.

The homeland and history of growing the Kalanchoe houseplant

The plant's native habitat is the warm tropics of Madagascar. In its natural habitat, Kalanchoe prefers mountainous areas, where it can reach a height of one and a half meters. The plant can also be found in Australia, India, New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the American and Asian tropics.

The first mention of Kalanchoe dates back to the 18th century. Notes about the plant were found in sailors' logs. One sailor contracted tropical fever. This disease was considered incurable, so he was abandoned to die on a nearby island.

On their way back, a crew of sailors decided to stop by the island to honor the memory of their fallen comrade. The sailors were amazed to see a completely healthy sailor. The miraculously cured sailor eagerly told the story of his recovery. The islanders took him in and treated him with a unique plant called Kalanchoe. In the local dialect, this word also meant "health."

Thus, thanks to Kalanchoe's medicinal properties, it became known throughout the world. A crew of sailors brought the green doctor with them for further distribution.

Characteristics of the Kalanchoe flower and species diversity

Kalanchoe is a succulent perennial. The genus Kalanchoe is divided into herbaceous plants, vines, and subshrubs. Some species are epiphytes.

The leaves are succulent and fleshy. They can be tightly attached to the stem or attached by petioles. Some species have pubescence on the leaf blades. Leaf color varies depending on the plant species. In most cases, it is uniform, with various shades of green. Variegated Kalanchoes also occur, with purple or red accents on a green background, or with marbled leaflets.

There are some beautifully flowering species. You can appreciate the charming Kalanchoe flowers in the photo below.

Flowers are collected in multi-flowered, umbel-shaped inflorescences. These inflorescences are most often located at the apex of the plant, less commonly on the sides. Flower color varies depending on the species: white, yellow, purple, and shades of red. Flowering typically occurs in the fall and winter, but some species bloom in the spring.

The following types of plants are distinguished:

1. Behar's rhododendron is a herbaceous plant distinguished by its bare, non-branching stems. Fallen leaves leave scars. The leaf blades have a waxy coating and are pubescent. The leaves are wedge-shaped. The inflorescences are terminal and small. The yellow petals are also pubescent.

   

2. Blossfeldiana is a low-growing shrub with smooth, ovate leaves. The foliage is a combination of red and green. It is a beautiful flowering species that blooms profusely. Depending on the variety, petals can be red, white, purple, or yellow.

   

3. Benta (Bristle-leaved) is a robust subshrub with thick, rounded leaves. It blooms in spring. The flowers are large and white.

   

4. Feltwort – commonly known as cat's ears. A shrub with densely pubescent, upright stems. It has sessile, oblong leaves. It blooms with small, dark red flowers. The inflorescences are also pubescent.

   

5. Degremona is a herbaceous plant with oblong, fleshy leaves. The leaf blades are folded along the midrib and have a pointed edge. The species is capable of forming offspring at the edges of the leaf blades.

   

6. Marble (large-flowered, Somali) is a half-meter-tall shrub with unusual leaves. The leaves are obovate with notched edges. They open green, but over time they acquire a bluish tint, with lilac spots appearing on the outer surface of the leaves. This species produces small white flowers.

   

7. Large-flowered rhododendron is a subshrub with sessile, lobed-toothed leaves. Initially green, they acquire a reddish tint in the sun. It blooms in May with large red or yellow flowers.

   

8. Mangina is a shrub grown as a hanging plant. This species is distinguished by drooping inflorescences with numerous pinkish-red flowers. Flowering occurs in spring.

   

9. Paniculata is a herbaceous Kalanchoe with a dense basal rosette of leaves. The green, obovate leaves eventually develop a purple margin. Flowering occurs in April. The inflorescences consist of small yellow flowers.

   

10. Flame (Fiery Red, Glaucous) is a herbaceous flowering plant. It grows up to 30 cm. The leaves are dark green and obovate. The flowers are large and bright red.

    

11. Pinnate – distinguished by the varying leaf shapes on a single bush. The lower ones are ovate, while the upper ones are pinnately dissected. It blooms with drooping inflorescences. The petals are colored in shades of red. This species is capable of producing offspring.

    

12. Trumpet-flowered (Trumpet-flowered) is a subshrub with numerous narrow leaves bearing numerous offshoots. Their color is green with a grayish tint. It has many hybrids. The petal colors are varied.

    

13. Lobate (dissected) – commonly known as deer horns. This herbaceous variety has succulent, fleshy shoots that tend to droop. The leaf blades are fleshy and deeply dissected. The lettuce-colored surface of the leaves has a waxy coating. It blooms profusely. The flowers are yellow-orange.

    

Caring for Kalanchoe at Home

Almost all Kalanchoe species thrive. Caring for them at home won't seem difficult if you follow basic growing guidelines.

Lighting

Kalanchoe loves bright light, but it tires if left in the sun for too long. The maximum daylight hours for this plant are 10-12 hours. In summer, many gardeners cover it with a curtain at night, removing it only around midday. This way, the plant has time to rest from the light.

It is advisable to place the pot on the western or eastern side. In winter, it is moved to the south side. If this is not possible, additional lighting can be installed as an alternative.

Temperature and humidity

Kalanchoe loves warmth. The critical minimum for the plant is +10°C (50°F). At lower temperatures, it begins to freeze. The plant feels comfortable at normal living temperatures: +18°C (64°F) to +28°C (82°F). In winter, it can be kept at +14°C (55°F).

The flower isn't particularly demanding when it comes to humidity. It thrives equally well in both medium and high humidity. However, during hot summers, when the air becomes overly dry, additional misting is recommended.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, water the plant as needed: as soon as the top layer of soil dries out. Use soft, settled water. Experts recommend watering the plant through the tray. During winter dormancy, reduce watering. It's sufficient to moisten the plant 3-4 days after the top layer of soil dries out.

Although Kalanchoe is a succulent—a plant that stores moisture in its leaves—it is very demanding when it comes to moisture. Inconsistent watering leads to disease. Kalanchoe that is too dry will drop its leaves, while overwatered plants will develop root rot.

Fertilize the plant in the summer and during bud formation. It's best to alternate between mineral and organic fertilizers. Apply minerals up to four times a month, and organic fertilizers up to twice a month. Liquid cactus fertilizers are ideal for this plant.

Pruning and pinching

Plant pruning is done as needed, which arises for two reasons:

1. Pinching to shape the bush.
2. Removing dried flower stalks.

Both types of pruning are essential. Many gardeners, when shaping a bush, cut off drooping shoots and immediately root them in the mother pot. Such pots look especially beautiful during flowering.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

Kalanchoe can be susceptible to the following diseases:

1. Gray mold. A sticky gray coating on leaves that destroys their structure. It is caused by poor watering and inadequate ventilation.

   

2. Late blight (late blight). A brown or tan coating on the leaves. Caused by poor air circulation and overwatering.
3. Powdery mildew. White, powdery spots on plant leaves. Caused by excessively high temperatures and dry air.
4. Ring spot. Stem rot and small, ring-shaped brown spots on the leaf surface. A viral disease.

   

5. Stem rot. Blackening of the stem followed by rotting. Occurs when the flower is kept at low temperatures.

Gray mold, late blight, and powdery mildew are treated by replacing the soil and treating the plant with fungicides. The same can be done if stem rot is in its early stages. All damaged parts of the plant are removed. Cuts are treated with an antiseptic. Ring spot is incurable.

Kalanchoe is often attacked by pests, including mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, and mites. You can get rid of these insects by treating the plant with insecticides or a mild soap solution.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

The plant is propagated in three ways: by cuttings, by seed, and by cuttings. Producing a new flower from a cutting is quite simple. To do this, cut a leaf with a cutting from the mother plant and place it in fertile soil for rooting.

To speed up the rooting process, cover the cutting with a transparent cover. A glass jar or a cut-off plastic bottle will do. It's best to mist the soil under the cutting rather than water it. Once the cutting has rooted and strengthened, transplant it into a separate pot like an adult plant.

Propagation of a flower by seed involves the following steps:

1. The container is filled with peat-enriched soil.
2. Sow the seeds in moist soil without burying them. To prevent them from washing away, lightly press them down with your fingers or press them down with a ruler.
3. The container is covered with glass and shaded with paper. It is placed in a room with a temperature of 16°C to 20°C. Seed care involves daily misting and ventilation.
4. Glass and paper are removed when sprouts appear.
5. After 3-4 weeks from sowing, the seedlings are transplanted into larger containers.
6. When 3-4 leaves appear on a young Kalanchoe, it is transplanted into a separate pot like an adult plant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V9EwF5DnWc

Some species of Kalanchoe produce offspring. These usually have their own aerial roots. These offspring are carefully separated from the mother plant and planted in separate pots. Caring for these offspring is similar to caring for adult Kalanchoes.

Young Kalanchoes are repotted annually. Mature plants can have their soil changed every 2-3 years. It is recommended to repot the plant in the spring. Repotting a blooming Kalanchoe is not recommended.

Succulent soil is ideal for this flower. You can prepare your own soil. You'll need the following ingredients:

• turf soil (1/2);
• leaf soil (1/4);
• sand (1/8);
• peat or pine needles (1/8).

The plant has a very developed root system, so the pot must be spacious. Kalanchoe is watered from below, so the pot should have a removable tray and drainage holes.

The beneficial properties of Kalanchoe and its use in folk medicine

Kalanchoe has a wealth of beneficial properties. Specifically, the plant has the following medicinal properties:

• wound healing;
• anti-inflammatory;
• hemostatic;
• antiseptic;
• tonic;
• regenerative;
• cleansing;
• immunostimulating.

Traditional medicine uses the indoor plant to treat the following diseases:

1. Bedsores, ulcers, difficult-to-heal wounds.
2. Abscesses, furuncles.
3. Skin rash.
4. Burns.
5. Eczema.
6. Consequences of insect bites.
7. Chronic fatigue.
8. Gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcers.
9. Impaired kidney function.
10. Cervical erosion.

The plant is especially popular among people with colds and runny noses. Previously, the most common cold medication was Naphthyzinum, which was contraindicated for small children. Mothers made do with Kalanchoe juice, which is why many people now associate this flower with sneezing and childhood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgIG_KLITms

Traditional medicine also recognizes the medicinal properties of this plant, but, unlike folk medicine, it uses the plant's components only for external use.

Common questions about houseplants

Kalanchoe is a perennial plant with medicinal properties. It has a fairly wide variety of species. Most species are low-maintenance and easy to grow indoors.