Discover Tips for Successfully Growing and Propagating a Kalanchoe Plant

Propagating Kalanchoe is easy and rewarding, requiring only patience and practice. Whether you are looking for more of the same plant or are looking for a new hybrid, there are two primary methods for propagating Kalanchoe: via cuttings and from seed.

The first step in propagating Kalanchoe from cuttings is to take your cuttings in the early spring. Use a pair of sharp garden shears to trim the desired length of bright, green shoots, about five to eight inches long.snip the leaves off of the bottom for three inches of the cutting. Allow the cuttings to dry on the counter for around three days so that the wound can heal.

Once the cuttings have dried, the next step is to prepare them for planting. Create a mixture of half cactus mix and half fine potting soil, moistening the blend before placing the cuttings in the soil. Make sure the soil is packed firmly around the cutting so that it stands upright without aid. It is important to leave the cuttings without water in the days following planting, allowing the leaf to adjust to a dry climate while rooting.

For the best results, place the cuttings in indirect light, preferably near a window, and apply a general-purpose planting fertilizer with a 20-8-20 time-release formula, at half strength at the beginning of each growing season. Keep the seedlings moist by spraying them with filtered or rainwater, but avoid any puddling as overwatering can lead to rot. After a couple of months, the cuttings should produce small plants that can be transferred to individual pots for further growth.

Propagating Kalanchoe from seed is an exciting way to experiment with the plant. Obtaining the seeds can be the most challenging part of the process. You can find Kalanchoe seeds at your local garden center or nursery, or attempt to crossbreed 2 or more Kalanchoe plants in your flower garden. To crossbreed, wait until the plants are in full bloom, then use a small paintbrush or Q-tip to brush the pollen from one flower to the stigma of another.

Once the seeds have been obtained, Kalanchoe seeds can be planted directly into warm, slightly moist soil made of half cactus mix and half fine potting soil. Place the seed in indirect light and maintain a temperature of between 70° and 75°F. Water only when the soil appears dry and allow around 10 days for germination. After they have grown to around 6 inches, transplant the seedlings to their own individual one to two-inch pots and follow the care instructions.

Kalanchoe is a resilient and beautiful plant that rewards effort with bright and vibrant growth. While new hybrids can be created through seed propagation, cuttings are a great way to ensure that the same plant is propagated multiple times. With careful attention to temperature, water, and light, both of these propagation methods can help you to enjoy the beauty of Kalanchoe in your home or garden.