Kalanchoe blossfeldiana or Florist Kalanchoe is one of the best flowering succulents that you can easily grow outdoors or indoors. The best part is, the blooms are long-lasting and won’t fade soon! So, if you have one and want to know How to Make Kalanchoe Flower way more than it does, read ahead!

Learn how to grow Kalanchoe plant indoors here

When Do Kalanchoes Flower?

Before answering this question, let’s remind you that when it comes to blooming, flowering kalanchoes are a lot like poinsettias, which means they are photoperiodic, and their flowering depends on the day length.

While growing as a houseplant, kalanchoes can flower in late winter and spring. However, it may get obstructed when lighting increases. Generally, these plants bloom in their native climate from the autumn end and winter and up to spring, when the day length shortens. Some varieties even continue to display long-lasting flowers till summer.

Why is Your Kalanchoe Not Blooming?

The reason behind your non-flowering kalanchoe is the natural dormancy or hibernation they need. It’s inherent for them to lose their blossoms at some stage since they require some break to flower again.

Based on the time of year and length of the days, kalanchoes go into a dormancy period that makes you think that the plant won’t flower again, which is not true! The 6 weeks dormancy period can be provided artificially by adjusting the length of daylight by shortening it like winter.

Treat your eyes to the most beautiful Kalanchoes on Instagram here

How Long Does It Take for Kalanchoe Buds to Flower?

The kalanchoe plants require at least 11-14 hours of darkness for straight 6-8 weeks to activate flowering again. Put it in a cabinet or closet overnight (from 6 PM to 8 AM), and cut down on watering and fertilizing at this time. After a few weeks, you will watch the arrival of colorful flowers. The flowering period can last up to 6 months!

Give it plenty of direct and indirect sunlight during the daytime, maintain warmth, and safeguard it from drafts and cold temperatures.

Kalanchoe Flowers Appearance

Kalanchoe displays blooms in many shapes and hues of magenta, red, pink, orange, white, and yellow. The four-petaled blossoms in clusters above the waxy, thick deep green scalloped-margined leaves. It also comes in a double flowering variety.

Flowering kalanchoe blooms for at least eight weeks, and flowers don’t fade for months, which is a symbolical meaning of eternal love and persistence.

Check out some stunning Kalanchoe varieties to grow indoors here

How to Make Kalanchoe Flower

1. Imitate a Dormancy Period

Like poinsettias, kalanchoes need short day lengths (long nights) for the development of flowering buds. To trick the plant, keep it in a completely dark room at night. You will have to make sure that it doesn’t even get a fraction of any natural or artificial light source.

In the morning, place the plant where it gets direct sunlight for 2-4 hours and then filtered sun.

Continue to do this for 6-8 weeks and soon, you will see the plant growing flower buds.

Note: If you miss out on even a single night of darkness, the plant won’t produce any flowering bud.

Learn how to induce flowers on Birds of Paradise here

2. Provide Plenty of Light

3. Expose Your Plant to a Low Temperature

Get the best tips to flower a Jade plant here

4. Cut Down Watering

5. Avoid Fertilizing Your Plant

During the entire time of dormancy, avoid feeding the plant. Once you start to see the flowering buds appear, feed the plant with a 0-10-10 liquid fertilizer, diluted to half of its strength.

Feeding the plant after the development of the buds will ensure vivid color, better flowering, and good health.

Check out the best homemade liquid fertilizer recipes here

After Care

 

  • Once you see the plants full of flowering buds, then it is time to stop keeping them in complete darkness during the nighttime.
  • Start watering the plant well. Do it deeply when the topsoil feels dry to touch.
  • Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight. The more, the better.
  • Keep snipping off the spent flowers to help the plant direct its energy into the development of new buds.
  • The best part is, the flowers stay for 4-6 weeks and if you will take the right care, you can extend this time even more!
  • Check out our article 10 Common Snake Plant Problems and How to Fix Them here

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