Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.
Flaming Katy / Florist Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a perennial succulent native to northeastern Madagascar, widely grown as an ornamental houseplant prized for its profuse clusters of brightly colored flowers. It belongs to the family Crassulaceae and its specific epithet honors Robert Blossfeld, the German nurseryman who introduced it to Europe in the 1920s.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Kalanchoe |
| Growth Habit | Compact, erect, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with an upright habit. |
| Conservation Status | Not listed under any IUCN threat category; widely cultivated and not at risk of extinction. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Type | Sandy or perlite-amended substrate, light texture, very permeable, moderately enriched with organic matter. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Leaves are fleshy, glossy, dark green, ovate-oblong with crenate (lightly scalloped) margins, 5–10 cm long, arranged oppositely on the stem. Their smooth, glabrous surface stores water efficiently, an adaptive trait of the Crassulaceae family.
ecoStems are erect, succulent, green, slightly lignified at the base with age; the plant develops a compact, branched shrubby form reaching 30–45 cm tall and 10–50 cm wide.
ecoFlowers are small, tubular to bell-shaped with four petals, massed in large umbels held above the foliage; colors range from deep red and pink to orange, gold, and white. Natural flowering occurs in late autumn to winter, but commercial crops are induced through controlled short-day treatment (14 hours darkness for at least 6 weeks).
ecoShallow, fibrous root system typical of succulents growing in well-drained substrates; highly sensitive to waterlogging, which causes rapid root rot.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Sandy or perlite-amended substrate, light texture, very permeable, moderately enriched with organic matter.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Cut an 8–10 cm stem with at least 2–3 nodes using sterilized scissors.
- 2 Remove leaves from the lower third to expose nodes.
- 3 Allow to callus for 1–2 days in a dry, warm spot.
- 4 Insert in universal substrate + perlite mix (1:1); water moderately.
- 5 Rooting in 2–4 weeks at 20–25 °C; transplant to final pot after one month.
- 1 Sow on peat + sand substrate (1:1) at 20–25 °C; do not cover seeds (they need light).
- 2 Keep moist with a mister; germination in 10–21 days.
- 3 Transplant seedlings when 2–3 cm tall.
- 4 To induce flowering: expose to short days (< 12 h light) for 6–8 weeks.
WARNING: toxic to dogs and cats (cardiac glycosides). Keep out of reach of pets.
Not inducing short days and expecting the plant to re-flower spontaneously under constant indoor light.
Annually in spring or every 2 years. It is a relatively short-cycle plant in commercial collections.
Liquid balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks during the active growing season (spring–summer). Reduce in autumn; suspend in winter.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
TOXIC to cats, dogs, and livestock. All plant parts contain bufadienolides (cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis) that inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase pump. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, and death. Keep away from pets and children.
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"K. blossfeldiana was the first CAM eudicot to have its genome sequenced, making it a key model organism for studying the evolution of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism photosynthesis. Its bufadienolides (especially bryophyllin A) have shown inhibitory activity against Epstein-Barr virus activation and cytotoxic effects against multiple human tumor cell lines at nanomolar concentrations."
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Scientific Integrity
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.