Description:
Kalanchoe rhombopilosa is a few branched, perennial, succulent shrublet up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall with small, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long, slightly woolly, silver-green leaves with brown markings on sprawling, woody branches. The stems are thin, up to 0.3 inch (8 mm) in diameter, rigid, woody, upright or sprawling with long hairs. The cruciform flowers are small and greenish yellow to pink with purple lines.
Scientific Classification:
How to Grow and Care:
Light:
Kalanchoe plants need a lot of sunlight to bloom, so they should be kept in a room with an abundance of bright, natural light. Avoid placing them on windowsills or in direct sunlight, however, as it can scorch the leaves and cause the plant not to bloom.
Soil:
A Kalanchoe plant will grow best in well-drained soil, so choose or create a blend that doesn’t retain too much moisture, like a 50 percent potting soil and 50 percent cactus mix or a 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite mix. To ensure proper drainage and avoid an overly-moist environment, you can also plant your Kalanchoe in a clay pot, which can help wick excess water from the soil.
Water:
If you have a habit of forgetting to water your plants every once in a while, a Kalanchoe may be the perfect pick for you. The hearty plant does well with minimal water, requiring a complete saturation only every few weeks or so (and even less often during the winter months). Let the soil of your Kalanchoe dry out completely in between waterings (this helps to prevent root rot), then water to the point of saturation.
Temperature and Humidity:
Environment is important to the Kalanchoe, although it's not as picky other indoor houseplants. Generally, your plant will thrive at temperatures ranging from 55–80 degrees Fahrenheit — meaning, with the exception of not letting the plant freeze, you don’t have to do much to create the proper indoor environment. When it comes to humidity, the Kalanchoe plant is not picky and does not require certain moisture levels in the air.
Fertilizer:
Like most flowering plants, Kalanchoe can benefit from fertilizer. This is especially important around the time of bloom, so feed with a well-balanced fertilizer blend once a month during the spring and summer months. If you're struggling to help your plant achieve its flowering potential, look for a fertilizer blend that includes potassium, which can help it produce added buds next time it blooms.
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Propagation:
Kalanchoe is very simple to propagate. To do so, cut a segment of stem several inches long from a mature plant. Allow it to dry out for a few days, or until the end appears to have a "healed" shutdown. Then, the plant in soil comprised of the same mixture (above) used to grow the mother plant. Let sit (do not water) and the stem should take root within a month.
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