Keeping your plant alive and healthy

Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a very hardy succulent plant suitable for indoor and mild outdoor growing. While it is easy to care for while growing and will flower for a long time, it's best to compost the plant after flowering and replace it with another one because it's never quite as good again after it flowers and it's very hard to get it to flower again.

Correction. Pictures shown are of an African violet NOT a flaming Katy. The care shown is for an African violet but not a flaming Katy. Don't throw your flaming Katy or African violet away after flowering. African violets are easier to flower then a flaming Katy but not impossible. Do not overwater either plant. Don't put your African violet in direct hot sun as it can burn the leaves. Its best to bottom water African violets. This prevents water spots on the leaves and crown rot.

Both flaming Katy and African violets can be prone to pests.[1] Thrips, aphids and mealy bugs. Taking a leaf cutting from an African violet will give you many plantlets, not just one. Its best to take a leaf cutting of your African violet isn't doing well or to grow and share with others. No need in tossing such a beautiful plant. (Unless you have truly killed it).

Steps

  1. 1
    Position it in a light, sunny position. This is a plant that is happy to sit on the windowsill provided it doesn't get too hot. The preferred temperature is average warmth, although the cooler the room, the happier the plant will be.[2]
  2. 2
    Keep the soil semi moist between waterings and ensure that the soil is dry before watering again. It doesn't need a lot of watering. Too much watering can bring about root rot but too dry and the leaves will shrivel and turn yellow.[3]
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  3. 3
    Feed it every two weeks when it's flowering. However, if you don't remember, it'll still thrive. A standard liquid fertiliser is appropriate.
  4. 4
    If you want to cut the flowers off after flowering, then do so. Otherwise, don't worry about it. It's really only an aesthetics issue.
  5. 5
    Take cuttings. Rather than trying to keep the plant flourishing after flowering, it's recommended that you take cuttings from it and grow new ones for the next year. And so on, for as long as you like. Cuttings should be placed in a soil-based compost.[4]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    When does the Flaming Katy flower?
    Ninox
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    Usually from February to April. The more you expose the plant to the light, the more it will bloom.
  • Question
    How do I take a cutting?
    Ninox
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    You don't have to cut the plant. You can just remove dead flowers to stimulate flowering.
  • Question
    How will it survive in the garden ?
    Ninox
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    It will survive if the temperature doesn't drop below zero. Otherwise, it could die.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • Flaming Katy plant
  • Suitable container
  • Watering can

A real African violet

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 76,520 times.
45 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 2, 2022
Views: 76,520
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