An out-of-town friend came to visit and mentioned what I already knew: My front window boxes were not their usual robust display of color and greenery.
I’ll say it – they lacked the luster of fullness and did not live up to my credo of “spiller, filler, thriller.”
Knowing that I could and wanted to do better, off to the market I went.
I didn’t really have a plan; I was open-minded and willing to have a plant tell me it should be replanted at the little house on the big hill. And that is just what happened.
Beautiful clusters of bright red stopped me in my tracks. These beauties practically jumped in my cart; it was love at first sight.
Kalanchoe is a tropical succulent that is often grown indoors because of its sensitivity to cold. Nights below 55 degrees can be killers for these plants, which is why they are outdoor perennials in USDA Zones 10-12 and indoor plants during our Appalachian fall and winters.
I was drawn to the red, but Kalanchoe does have other colors, such as pink, white, yellow, or orange. The plant produces groups of tiny blossoms that amass on top stems above dark green scalloped, thick succulent leaves.
Once the nights have warmed to above 55 degrees, these plants will brighten patios, porches, and, yes, even window boxes. Outside, they like morning sun and dappled sun in the afternoon. If keeping them indoors, let them live in indirect sun, hopefully getting at least 6 hours of sun each day.
Here’s another reason these flowers flourished in my window boxes – they don’t like moist soil. It is best if the soil completely dries before watering. No problem with that around here this summer; these plants must have thought they were at home in the tropics with our 90-plus- degree days and lack of rain.
Indoor plants are the same; they will be healthier if the soil is allowed to dry completely before watering. Overwatering is the most common mistake with this plant. If you notice the leaves beginning to drop, allow the soil to dry and cut back on future watering.
Terra cotta pots are a good container choice. The clay allows the soil to dry much quicker than a glazed, concrete, or plastic pot. In the spring, outside plants like a shot of an all-around fertilizer. Indoor plants may need monthly fertilizing in the spring and summer. If you notice the plant not blooming as expected, increase the phosphorus percentage of the fertilizer.
Another container tip: if you’re like me and bring them indoors means, finding new containers, go big—kalanchoes like room to spread their roots.
Once the temps drop and you bring your Kalanchoe inside, give it lots of light. But there’s a catch. This plant needs 14 hours of darkness each day for six weeks in the winter to prepare for spring blooms. Find a closet dark corner or create an environment of total darkness to house the plant. During this time limit the water and definitely don’t fertilize. After the six weeks of darkness expect to see blooms in about 4 months. This sounds intense, but the long-lasting flowers are worth it.
Kalanchoe are easy plants to propagate, and it’s healthy for the mature plant to have one less stem to feed and support. Cut a stem, then let it dry for a day or two. Once the cut has healed, dip it in a rooting hormone and place in a pot using a loose mix of potting soil. Hold off on watering for a month, then treat it as a mature plant.
This plant with bundles of tiny flowers took my window boxes from “blah” to “aww” in one afternoon. I am grateful for being called out on my less-than-usual window boxes. It gave me a chance to grow and learn about a new plant, plus the bright colors and profuse display of flowers make me smile every day.