Why Is My Kalanchoe Not Flowering and What to Do
A healthy Kalanchoe that won't flower often needs its natural blooming cycle triggered. Discover the key to encouraging buds and sustaining yearly color.
Kalanchoe plants are a favorite for their vibrant and long-lasting flowers, making it disappointing when they fail to bloom again after their initial display. These succulents are often purchased while in full bloom, a state induced by commercial growers. These plants have specific requirements that must be met to encourage a new round of blossoms, a process that is straightforward once you understand what triggers flowering.
Understanding the Kalanchoe Blooming Cycle
Kalanchoe plants are “photoperiodic,” a primary factor in their flowering schedule. Specifically, they are classified as short-day plants. This means they require long periods of darkness and shorter periods of daylight to initiate the process of forming flower buds. In their natural habitat, this cycle corresponds with the changing seasons, prompting them to bloom from late winter into late spring.
This need for extended darkness is a built-in survival mechanism. The plant interprets the lengthening nights as a sign that the optimal season for flowering is approaching. Without this period of rest and reduced light, the plant will continue to focus its energy on vegetative growth, producing more leaves and stems instead of the desired blossoms. Understanding this natural rhythm is the foundation for encouraging your Kalanchoe to rebloom.
How to Force a Kalanchoe to Bloom
To manually trigger the flowering process, you need to replicate the conditions of late autumn and early winter. This process should begin approximately six to eight weeks before you wish to see new flowers. The primary step is to provide the plant with 14 to 16 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness each day. A simple way to achieve this is by placing the plant in a dark closet or covering it with a cardboard box overnight.
During this treatment, the darkness must be absolute, as even brief exposure to light can disrupt the cycle and prevent bud formation. For the remaining 8 to 10 hours of the day, the Kalanchoe should be placed in a location where it receives bright, indirect sunlight. Throughout this forcing period, you should also reduce how frequently you water the plant, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Continue this daily routine for about six weeks. Once you observe the formation of small flower buds, you can discontinue the dark treatment and move the plant back to its regular location and resume your normal watering schedule.
Common Care Mistakes That Inhibit Flowering
One common issue is improper fertilization. Using a fertilizer high in nitrogen will stimulate lush, green leaf growth but will do so at the expense of flower production. Instead, opt for a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content, which supports bud development. This should be applied before you begin the dark treatment, but then ceased during the 6-week forcing period.
Temperature stress can also prevent a Kalanchoe from blooming. These plants can be sensitive to environments that are either too hot or too cold, which diverts their energy toward survival rather than flowering. They perform best in typical household temperatures, but exposure to drafts or extreme fluctuations should be avoided.
Another factor that can inhibit flowering is a stressed root system. If a Kalanchoe becomes severely root-bound, meaning its roots have filled the entire pot, the plant’s growth can be stunted. This stress makes it unlikely the plant will have the necessary resources to develop blooms. Periodically check the root system; if it appears crowded, repotting the plant into a slightly larger container with fresh soil can rejuvenate it and prepare it for a future flowering cycle.
Post-Flowering Care for Future Blooms
Once the flowers begin to fade and die, it is important to practice “deadheading.” This involves pinching or cutting off the spent flower stalks at their base. Removing the old blooms prevents the plant from wasting energy on sustaining dead parts and instead directs that energy toward new growth and building reserves for the next season. Following flowering and deadheading, the Kalanchoe enters a natural rest period, which lasts for about a month. During this time, the plant’s water needs are reduced, so you should allow the soil to dry more than usual between waterings. After this brief dormancy, you can resume a regular watering and feeding routine, which allows the plant to recover and gather strength.