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Repotting guide

When & how to repot Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

Also called flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe, Madagascar widow’s thrill.

About Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana · also called flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe · flowering

Kalanchoe is a compact succulent from Madagascar grown for its clusters of small red, pink, yellow or orange flowers. It blooms in winter and lasts for weeks, making it a popular gift plant. Toxic to pets.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy) is a succulent native to Madagascar, adapted to bright, warm conditions with marked dry periods, which is why it stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves.

Use a gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix; standard moisture-retentive potting soil holds too much water around the shallow roots of this drought-adapted plant.

Mature size: 20-40 cm tall

Watch for — Leggy growth: Insufficient light; move to a sunnier spot.

Sources: aspca.org, plants.ces.ncsu.edu, hgic.clemson.edu

How to tell kalanchoe needs repotting

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

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

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Kalanchoe's growth habit — compact succulent rosette — sets the pace. Kalanchoe is a compact succulent from Madagascar grown for its clusters of small red, pink, yellow or orange flowers. It blooms in winter and lasts for weeks, making it a popular gift plant. Toxic to pets.

What size pot to step kalanchoe up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Kalanchoe 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

Spring or summer, while kalanchoe 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

  1. Repot dry. Do not water kalanchoe for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
  2. Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining cactus or succulent mix ready.
  3. 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.
  4. Pot into dry mix. Set kalanchoe at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
  5. 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 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

Kalanchoe wants free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Coarse cactus mix or 1:1 potting compost and perlite. 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 — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot kalanchoe?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for kalanchoe. Repot kalanchoe every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining cactus or succulent 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 need?

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Kalanchoe 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. Use our pot size calculator to size it from the plant's current pot and root spread.

When is the best time of year to repot kalanchoe?

Spring or summer, while kalanchoe 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.

Should you water kalanchoe after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot kalanchoe 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 after repotting?

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

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