If you are a lover of plants and cheerful blooms but prefer them in something small, really choose Miniature Kalanchoe. For the beginner grower and talented gardeners alike, this colorful flowering variety in a compact succulent form make a perfect addition to your gardening habits!
This guide introduces the roots of this beautiful plant, how to take care of it with love and different ways you can decorate your space. Let’s begin!
What Makes Mini Kalanchoe So Special?
Small Kalanchoe is a small version of the Madagascar-native Crassulaceae family succulent, kalanchoe. The thick, fleshy leaves are the most distinguishing feature of this plant and it produces clusters of small brightly colored red, pink yellow white or orange flowers.
Basic features:
What Makes Miniature Kalanchoe Special Most notable about miniature kalanchoe is its ability to flower for weeks, providing continuous living beauty in any room or garden. I love the fact that it is only dwarfed at up to 6 inches so, its perfect for your desk, windowsill or right in amongst other small succulents.
Miniature Kalanchoe: Varieties Key
Many types of miniature kalanchoe exist, each with different colors and attributes. Here are a few popular ones:
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: The most commercial variety is found in multiple clusters of beautiful colors and they bloom for long periods.
Kalanchoe tomentosa: This variety has gray-green leaves, with a nice ‘fuzzy lifelike fuzz that makes it look like well yes a panda. It has an interesting bristley leaf texture and browning edges.
Kalanchoe pumila: This species makes a beautiful addition to any indoor plant family with its silver, rounded leaves, and shades of light pink in bloom.
Kalanchoe pinnata: It is extraordinary in it grows plantlets alongside the edges of its leaves, which really offers something special that most succulents do not have and should be highly considered by someone who enjoys propagating their plants.
Miniature Kalanchoe Care Routine
Mini kalanchoe care is easy once you understand a few basics, making it an excellent houseplant. They include light needs, water requirement soil and environmental conditions.
1. Light: Bright Indirect
Kalanchoe is a Miniature kalanchoe prefers bright light but it must be out of harsh, direct sunlight and that especially applies in the afternoon hours. Direct sun might burn the plant leaves. Give your plant the best light possible, and that means at least 4-6 hours of bright, INDIRECT light per day.
Indoors: Best to place in a south or west facing window
Outdoors: Part shade or Indoors as potted plant
2. Watering: Less Is More
Because kalanchoe is a succulent, it has evolved to retain water in its leaves and doesn’t require frequent watering. One of the most common reasons root rot affects plants is overwatering.
When to Water: Allow the soil on your miniature kalanchoe to dry out between waterings. The best way to water your String of Pearls is using the “soak and dry” method — watering thoroughly then allowing the soil to completely dry before adding more moisture.
You will have to water your Schefflera more frequently during the growing season (spring and summer) but less in winter when Scheffleras rest.
3. Soil and Potting: Drains Well
Most like other succulents, miniature kalanchoe must have well-draining soil to prevent standing water around its roots. Commercial succulent or cactus mixes work well, as does a 50/50 blend of regular potting soil and sand or perlite.
Pot of Choice: Pots that include drainage holes. This way any excessive water can run off to prevent root rot.
4. Heat and humidity: where to keep it warm, not wet
Kalanchoe prefers normal home temperatures of 60º to 85°F (16°C to 29°C). Frost-intolerant: if the temperature falls under 50°F (10°C), move your plant inside.
Avoid areas with excess humidity; Kalanchoe thrives in a dry environment. Too much humidity leads to fungus.
Long-term Troubles & Solutions
While mini kalanchoe is typically trouble-free, there are a few potential problems. Below are some of the common issues and simple fixes to ensure your plant stays healthy:
- Overwatering and Root Rot
Kalanchoe is generally plagued with too much salt moisture, leading to harmful root deteriorating. Yellowing leaves and a mushy, discolored base stem are symptoms of too much water.
Side effect: At the initial stage of this neuro-injury, water promptly (at first sign). If the affected one is worse, remove it from its pot and cut off damaged roots then re-plant in new dry soil.
- Pest Infestations
Aphids, mealybugs and spider mites can be a problem on your miniature kalanchoe. Underneath the leaves or near new growth
The solution: Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth or apply an insecticidal soap and water spray to it. A great organic solution for pest control is neem oil.
- Stretched Growth
A kalanchoe that is leggy and stretched means it does not receive enough light.
Solution: Relocation to a brighter spot where it gets some more indirect sunlight poll finds that most of the respondents, 83% never could keep them alive. You can even reduce the leggy growth to stimulate more compact growing.
Propagating: Increase your Kalanchoe Ranch
One of the best things about growing miniature kalanchoe is that it propagates fairly easily. The new plants of the Pilea peperomioides can be done either from leaves or by cutting off a stem. How to Propagate Kalanchoe in some easy steps-
Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Select a Healthy Stem: Choose a stem that is healthy and has no visible signs of rot or damage.
Allow the Wound to Callous Over: Snip off the stem and allow it to sit in a dry location for 24-48 hours so that the wound can callus.
Actinomycotic mycetoma showed an increased density of thin walled granules with fine filamentous in a sulphurous material resistant to decolourisation by H2S.The grains were light beige while the black ones appeared as thick-walled spherical cells. hgvsPlant directly into soil: Sit stem in well-draining succulent dirt and water sparingly.
Wait for Roots: Place cutting in a sunny spot, not too bright and water lightly. They should have roots soon, within a couple weeks.
- Propagation by Leaf Cuttings
Pick a Healthy Leaf: From the plant pull out fresh full leaf.
To Dry: after cutting, allow the leaf to dry for 1-2 days until a callous forms on the end.
Plant the Leaf: Lay out your leaf on top of some succulent soil and give it a light drink or two. Eventually small plantlets will form right at the base.
- Inventive Miniature Kalanchoe Decor
Mini kalanchoe is not only super easy to care for but it also makes a beautiful decorative plant. Tiny size and colorful appearance are the top reasons for being an ideal addition to any space. Here are some ways to add it up in your decoration:
Table Top Centerpiece
Add a GoGo kalanchoe into fancy small pots for an eye popping table top display. If you love succulents, add your kalanchoe to a succulent terrarium. With its bright flowers it stands out beautifully against other succulents.
Hanging Baskets
Kool kalanchoe in the great outdoors with a hanging cozy-sized basket on your patio and it will be perfect for you.
Conclusion
It is excellent for low-maintenance plant lovers who crave the refreshing touch of nature at home but are not so devoted to heavy-duty care routines. This plant is small, has beautiful flowers and will grow in most conditions which makes it a very useful addition to any garden whatever your gardening skill.
In the same breath, if you recently moved or just want to grow some new plants inside your house then you’re going to need a few small kalanchoe trees in no time.
With appropriate attention, you will enjoy weeks of healthy growth from your colorful kalanchoe which is a great houseplant for brightening up the home. Happy planting!
