How to Grow and Care for Mini Calandiva

The Mini Calandiva is a popular cultivar of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, known for its vibrant, rose-like double flowers and thick, succulent leaves. Often received as gifts, these plants feature robust foliage and large flower clusters with blooms that can last for six to eight weeks. Native to Madagascar, the Calandiva is a low-maintenance favorite available in a wide array of colors, including pink, red, orange, and white.

Mini Calandiva Care Guide

Mini Calandivas flourish in bright, indirect sunlight. An ideal spot is near an east-facing window with morning sun that is shielded from intense afternoon rays, which can scorch the leaves. While they tolerate lower light after blooming, insufficient light during the budding phase can prevent flowers from opening properly.

The Mini Calandiva is a drought-tolerant succulent sensitive to overwatering. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out completely between waterings. When you do water, saturate the soil thoroughly and let all excess water drain away to prevent root rot.

Use a well-draining soil mix, such as one formulated for cacti and succulents or an all-purpose potting soil amended with perlite. These plants thrive in average home temperatures between 60-85°F (15-29°C) and do not require high humidity. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the spring and summer growing season.

Pruning and Promoting Blooms

To maintain the plant’s shape and encourage new blooms, prune your Calandiva after its flowers have faded. Pinch or cut off the spent flower stems to redirect the plant’s energy toward new growth. You can also trim back long stems to encourage a bushier, more compact form.

To get a Mini Calandiva to rebloom, you must manage its light exposure. As short-day plants, they require long, uninterrupted periods of darkness to form new flower buds. This process mimics their natural blooming cycle in late winter and early spring.

To trigger reblooming, provide the plant with 14 hours of continuous darkness daily for a period of six to eight weeks. Place it in a dark closet or cover it with a box from late afternoon until morning, returning it to bright, indirect light during the day. Reduce watering during this rest period. Once new flower buds appear, you can stop the dark treatment and resume its normal care routine.

Solving Common Issues

Even low-maintenance plants can have occasional problems. Here are solutions for the most common issues with Mini Calandivas:

• Yellowing leaves: This is the most common sign of overwatering. If you notice yellow leaves, reduce your watering frequency and check that the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot.
• Leggy growth: When a plant has elongated stems with sparse leaves, it is not receiving enough light. Moving the plant to a brighter location with plenty of indirect sun will resolve this.
• Mealybugs: These pests appear as small, white, cottony spots on the stems and leaves. They can be managed by wiping them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
• Aphids: These are tiny, sap-sucking insects that often cluster on new growth and flower buds. Treat an infestation by using an insecticidal soap spray according to the product’s directions.