The Kalanchoe is a popular indoor plant which is quite small (usually between 2 and 4 inches tall) and easy to care for. It is a flowering plant and features delicate clusters of flowers which are white, pink, red or orange.

The Kalanchoe plant has fleshy leaves which retain water very well, much like a cactus plant. Because of this, they should not be watered too frequently. The flowers which the plant produces are colourful and very long lasting. Most varieties of Kalanchoe will also produce very small plantlets around the margins of the larger leaves and these can be used to cultivate new Kalanchoe plants.

The Kalanchoe plant originates from Madagascar and so does well in warm, slightly drier conditions. In terms of soil, this plant thrives in half sand, half peat combinations, which offer sufficient drainage. Mild to warm temperatures are required for the Kalanchoe plant to survive and anything below 12 degrees Celsius is likely to cause it to wilt.

For one Kalanchoe plant, use a pot which is about 7 inches in diameter. For two or three of these plants, you’ll need a 9 inch pot, which will allow the plants to cluster and grow close together. During the summer months, make sure the plants get a twice weekly feeding of fertiliser. Watering should be reduced during the winter time.