Bountiful Gardens

The Living Bouquet: Kalanchoe & Calandiva

These plants are beloved for their thick, waxy green leaves and their clusters of starry flowers. They are "short-day" plants, meaning they naturally bloom in the winter when the days are shorter, bringing a much-needed pop of color to your home when other plants are dormant.

Suggested Placement in the Home

• The "Sunny Sill": To keep those blooms coming and the leaves a rich green, place them in a South or West-facing window. They love bright, direct light.

• The Bright Office: They handle the dry air of office buildings beautifully, making them the perfect desk companion if you have a bright window nearby.

• Avoid the "Dark Shelf": If kept in a low-light corner, the plant will become "leggy" (stretched out) and the flower buds may fall off before they even open.

Care & Maintenance

• Deadheading: This is the key to a long-lasting show! Once a cluster of flowers starts to wither, snip the entire flower stalk off at the base. This encourages the plant to put energy into the remaining buds.

• The "Soak and Dry" Method: As succulents, they store water in their leaves. Wait until the soil is completely dry before giving them a deep drink. When in doubt, don't water!

• Pruning: After the plant has finished its entire blooming cycle, you can trim it back to maintain a bushy shape. This prevents it from looking "top-heavy" or lanky.

• Leaf Grooming: Their waxy leaves are easy to clean. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away dust so the plant can effectively "breathe" and soak up the sun.

The Essential Tip for Beginners

The "Darkness Treatment": If your Kalanchoe or Calandiva looks healthy but refuses to bloom again, it thinks it’s still summer! To "force" a new round of flowers, put the plant in a completely dark closet for 14 hours every night (from 6 PM to 8 AM) for about six weeks. This mimics the short days of winter and triggers the plant to start pumping out those beautiful flower buds again!