Repotting guide

When & how to repot Kalanchoe 'Calandiva' (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva')

Also called Calandiva, Double-flowered Kalanchoe.

More about kalanchoe 'calandiva'

About Kalanchoe 'Calandiva'

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva' · also called Calandiva, Double-flowered Kalanchoe · flowering

Calandiva is a compact succulent grown for dense clusters of long-lasting, rose-like double flowers in red, pink, orange, white or yellow. A short-day bloomer, it flowers when nights lengthen, often timed for winter colour. Thick, scalloped leaves store water, so it tolerates dry spells. A bright windowsill houseplant.

Mature size: 25-40 cm tall and wide indoors.

Watch for — Root and stem rot: From overwatering or a soggy, poorly drained mix. Let the soil dry between waterings and use gritty succulent compost with drainage holes.

How to tell kalanchoe 'calandiva' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For kalanchoe 'calandiva', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot kalanchoe 'calandiva'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Kalanchoe 'Calandiva''s growth habit — bushy, compact, upright succulent subshrub with branching stems and dense terminal flower clusters held above the foliage. naturally mounding and self-supporting. — sets the pace. Calandiva is a compact succulent grown for dense clusters of long-lasting, rose-like double flowers in red, pink, orange, white or yellow. A short-day bloomer, it flowers when nights lengthen, often timed for winter colour. Thick, scalloped leaves store water, so it tolerates dry spells. A bright windowsill houseplant.

What size pot to step kalanchoe 'calandiva' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Kalanchoe 'Calandiva' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot kalanchoe 'calandiva'

Spring or summer, while kalanchoe 'calandiva' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting kalanchoe 'calandiva'

Repot dry. Do not water kalanchoe 'calandiva' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, free-draining succulent or cactus mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set kalanchoe 'calandiva' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep kalanchoe 'calandiva' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for kalanchoe 'calandiva'

Kalanchoe 'Calandiva' wants gritty, free-draining succulent or cactus mix. Use a cactus and succulent compost, or amend standard potting mix with perlite, grit or coarse sand for sharp drainage. A pot with drainage holes is essential. Slightly acidic to neutral pH suits it. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting kalanchoe 'calandiva' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot kalanchoe 'calandiva'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for kalanchoe 'calandiva'. Repot kalanchoe 'calandiva' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, free-draining succulent or cactus mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does kalanchoe 'calandiva' need?

When is the best time of year to repot kalanchoe 'calandiva'?

Should you water kalanchoe 'calandiva' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot kalanchoe 'calandiva' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise kalanchoe 'calandiva' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting kalanchoe 'calandiva'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.