Calandivas are also known as Kalanchoe. This lovely succulent plant has vibrant green leaves and colorful blossoms that look great as a houseplant! They prefer to be left alone, as they require minimum maintenance!
Calandiva belongs to the Crassulaceae family of flowers, and they can last up to six weeks from the moment they start flowering! They are also known for flowering throughout winter and spring.
Continue reading if you would like to know more about these succulent plants and how to take care of them:
Calandiva Plant Description
Some Calandiva plants will look like roses because they have many petals. In fact, they could have four, eight, 16, and even 32 petals in total! Calandiva can be found anywhere in the world.
Calandiva’s flowers can be orange, pink, red, white, burgundy, lilac, yellow, and cream, and they are usually very showy is why they are considered as a beautiful ornamental plant.
How to Grow and Care for Calandiva
Here are some tips regarding how to maintain a healthy Calandiva plant:
Sun and Soil Requirements
Calandiva loves an acidic or neutral soil; they also prefer well-drained soil because they cannot tolerate having a lot of water on the soil. You could easily grow and maintain Calandiva outdoors; just make sure you put them in a protected area guarded against strong winds and rains.
However, if you live in a cold area, it is advisable to grow them indoors. If this is the case, place them in an area where they can receive as much sunlight as possible, otherwise, they may be affected by the lack of sun.
Water and Food Requirements
Calandiva will do just fine if you don’t overwater it. Because Calandiva is a succulent, it also means that they are very drought-resistant plants, so if you always forget to water your plants, consider getting a Calandiva!
Ideally, you should water it once a week, although if your house is humid and your environment is cold, you will need to make sure the soil is almost dry before watering it again.
On the other hand, you could apply an organic fertilizer once a month if your Calandiva is in a growing season. This way, you will be encouraging her to flower correctly.
Pruning Calandivas
Don’t you worry! You will only need to do a simple pruning every now and then (for example, just at the end of the growing season); if you do this, you will make sure your flower will have a better shape in the future.
You could cut the tall stems that will grow above the already established leaves. If not, you could always take some small plantlets and then plant them directly on the soil outdoors or in a different container, this way you will be manually propagating your Calandiva.
Calandiva Pests and Diseases
Always wash your hands before, and after you prune your plants, otherwise you may be spreading plants’ diseases without even knowing it!
Sometimes Calandiva’s leaves will turn white because mildew has taken over them. This could be because one part of the plant was already infested, and you didn’t wash your hands when you were pruning, so you spread the disease, or it could also be because you overwater your succulent.
If you see any pests (such as Aphids), then try to remove them by hand. If not, use a stick or something to help you out, but it is essential for you to do this, otherwise, the Aphid will likely eat parts of the leaves in a matter of seconds.
Growing Calandiva Indoors
If you don’t have enough outdoor space, then you are lucky because Calandiva loves to be in the dark; thus, they prefer short days with more than 14 hours without lights.
If you place your Calandiva indoors, make sure you take it out of the dark and place it near a light source once their buds start appearing.
Growing Calandiva Outdoors
Even though Calandiva will thrive best when placed indoors, you could still try planting them outdoors in a very shaded area. Make sure your soil drains well and is acidic; this way, your Calandiva will grow stronger and healthier.
If frost is expected where you live, try to place some mulch around the plants’ roots as a way of protecting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Calandiva succulents?
They are usually sold at nurseries or garden centers. You will find them throughout winter because it is when the plants tend to bloom.
Should I repot my Calandiva?
If your container is small and you just bought your Calandiva plant, you will eventually have to repot it into a bigger container. I recommend you do this once your plant finishes blooming. Otherwise, you could affect their growth.
Will the Calandiva go dormant?
Yes, they will. In fact, if you bought it during the winter season, then your plant is likely to bloom until early spring. Then, the following fall, you will need to make sure your succulent is in a dark place if you would like it to bloom again.
You are doing this to protect your plant and give her enough strength to come out again and bloom during the following winter.
Conclusion
As you can see, Calandiva is one of the easiest plants to grow, regardless of whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener.
Calandiva succulents will also bring a lot of color into your home or garden. They are so beautiful and have so many different vibrant colors that all pollinators will come towards them as well! It is definitely worth having Calandiva succulent plants in your home!
Image: zen76/depositphotos
