Flaming Katy
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
A succulent perennial with dark green, glossy, scalloped leaves and dense terminal clusters of vibrant four-petaled flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, or orange.
- Light
- Bright indirect light for at least 6 hours per day; can tolerate some direct morning sun.
- Water
- Water deeply only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry. Drought-tolerant. Prevent waterlogging to avoid root rot.
- Growth
- Upright, compact, bushy evergreen succulent growing to a mature height and spread of 6 to 18 inches with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide bright indirect sunlight, allow the soil to dry out completely between thorough waterings, use well-draining succulent or cactus soil mix, and feed sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright indirect light for at least 6 hours per day; can tolerate some direct morning sun.
Watering
Water deeply only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry. Drought-tolerant. Prevent waterlogging to avoid root rot.
Soil
Well-draining sandy or loamy soil mix designed for succulents and cacti, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10 to 12; grown primarily as an indoor houseplant in cooler regions.
Growth habit
Upright, compact, bushy evergreen succulent growing to a mature height and spread of 6 to 18 inches with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms naturally in late winter to spring, producing long-lasting clusters of small, brightly colored flowers.
Propagation
Propagated easily via stem cuttings or leaf cuttings taken during the spring or summer growing season, allowing the cut end to callous before planting in moist soil.
Common pests & issues
Prone to powdery mildew and stem rot if overwatered or kept in high humidity with poor airflow. Pests include mealybugs and aphids.
Similar species
Kalanchoe calandiva, which features double-petaled flowers, and other Kalanchoe species such as Kalanchoe tomentosa (panda plant), which differs by having fuzzy, felted leaves instead of smooth, glossy ones.