Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana): Long-Blooming Indoor Succulent

Overview

Flaming Katy, or Florist Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), is a compact, bushy succulent celebrated for its dense clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers that last for weeks. Available in red, pink, orange, yellow, and white, it brightens windowsills and offices year-round. Glossy, scalloped green leaves form a neat mound. As a short-day plant, it naturally blooms in winter, making it a popular holiday gift. Easy to propagate from leaf cuttings.

Key Features

• Flowers: Umbels of small, four-petaled blooms in bright hues; long-lasting.
• Foliage: Thick, dark green, scalloped leaves with red edges in high light.
• Size: 12–18 in tall and wide.
• Bloom Trigger: Requires 14-hour nights for 6 weeks to initiate buds.

Care Guidelines

Light

Bright indirect light. Some morning sun enhances flowering.

Water

Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid wet leaves.

Soil

Well-draining succulent mix.

After Bloom

Deadhead spent clusters. Cut back leggy growth. Rest with reduced water.

Taxonomy

Family:	Crassulaceae
Genus:	Kalanchoe (kal-un-KOH-ee)
Species:	blossfeldiana (bloss-fel-dee-AY-nuh)
Synonym:	Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea