Living in a desert climate, I am always on the lookout for interesting succulents to add to my plant collection. A few years ago I learned about a genus of approximately 125 species of plants known as Kalanchoe. I couldn’t believe how many times I overlooked these beauties that are normally sold from late winter to early spring.
They are pretty easy to care for as they only require water once the soil has completely dried out. What impressed me even more was that there are many Kalanchoe plant benefits for health.
Kalanchoe Plant Benefits: What is a kalanchoe plant good for?
Kalanchoe plants prefer full sun and do not require a lot of maintenance, which is typical of a succulent. As a true testament to the hardiness of this plant, it was actually one of the first plant species to be sent into space in 1979. The introduction of the plant to the lonely Soviet astronauts provided a much-needed morale boost.
However, their advantages go beyond being low maintenance and a cure for loneliness aboard space stations. Here are some kalanchoe plant benefits you may not know about:
Treatment of Inflammation and Infections
- Used mainly in herbal or folk medicine
- A scientific study showed effective treatment of inflammation in test subjects
- Extracts from the Kalanchoe plant have been researched and found to contain antimicrobial properties to combat infections.
Treatment of respiratory disorders
- We do not suggest that you use for self-treatment
- In tropical/herbal medicine the boiled leave extracts have been used to manage asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Other health/wellness conditions
Many traditional healers and indigenous populations will make teas or infusions to treat other health conditions such as the below:
- Colds and fevers
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Oral inflammation
- Skin conditions
- Sleeping issues
Kalanchoe plants are beneficial for purifying the air
You may already know that NASA has a list of houseplants that are best for air purification. While it did not make the top of the list, the Kalanchoe plant is on the list as it’s an effective absorber of carbon dioxide. They in turn release clean oxygen into the environmental air.
Kalanchoe Plant Care Instructions
A quick easy tip in learning how to care for a plant is by replicating their conditions in nature. The Kalanchoe plant is native to Madagascar and certain regions of Africa. These areas provide abundant sun and not much water.
Soil
The best soil for Kalanchoe plants will need to drain well. A mix of primarily peat moss combined with the addition of perlite will work perfectly. You can save yourself the trouble of experimenting to prepare the perfect mix by using a potting mix specifically made for cacti or succulents.
Water
This plant requires infrequent watering. They may typically go from 10 days up to 3 weeks between waterings.
Soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings as too much water is the #1 cause of kalanchoe plant problems. Use your finger to check if the top 3 inches are completely dry. If so, it’s time for a watering.
Humidity and Temperature
Normal household humidity and temperatures are generally although ideal humidity is around 75%. They do best with temperature ranges between 50℉ to 70℉ during the day and 45℉ to 65℉ during the night.
Related Article: Best Hygrometer for Plants
Fertilizing
Only actively blooming Kalanchoes require fertilization. When your kalanchoe is in bloom you may fertilize it once every 1 -2 months. The great thing is any household fertilizer will do so you can use whatever you may already have on hand for your other flowering plants.
Pests
The Kalanchoe Plant can be susceptible to pests like spider mites, brown scale and mealybugs. To get rid of these nuisances use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe off each insect. You may need to repeat for a few days to ensure all the pests are completely gone.
Grooming/Pruning
I prune my Kalanchoe Plant during the blooming phase by simply removing any dead or dying blooms. If I don’t do this, the plant will divert valuable nutrients from healthy plant areas to attempt to save the dying areas.
Once blooming is completed, my goal is to encourage more fullness. To do this use clean, sharp pruning shears and cut back about ⅓ of each kalanchoe plant stem.
Safety
Although gorgeous, the kalanchoe plant is toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested it can cause stomach irritations and in rare cases changes in heart rate in both animals so make sure to keep the plant away from your pets.
Related Article: Air Purifying Plants Safe For Dogs
Our Final Thoughts
This beauty is easy to maintain and it’s awesome knowing the Kalanchoe plant benefits that are used in herbal medicine. It is especially useful in air purification. Once you understand their easy care requirements you will no doubt want to add this gem to your roster of plants!