overwatering and Kalanchoe
Quick answer
If overwatering is what's going on with your Kalanchoe, the most likely cause is: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana stores water in its thick fleshy leaves and tolerates drying out for two to four weeks, so overwatering saturates the root zone and lets water pool in the heart of the rosette, which then rots the crown. The compact growth habit of this flaming Katy means any moisture that lingers at the base of the stem or in the leaf axils is held against the tissue instead of draining away.
Start here:
- 1. Allow the potting mix to partially dry out between waterings, and water sparingly in winter so the crown never sits in moisture for long.
- 2. Remove the foil sleeve from any nursery-potted supermarket kalanchoe so water cannot puddle at the base of the stem after each drink.
Why overwatering happens to Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana stores water in its thick fleshy leaves and tolerates drying out for two to four weeks, so overwatering saturates the root zone and lets water pool in the heart of the rosette, which then rots the crown. The compact growth habit of this flaming Katy means any moisture that lingers at the base of the stem or in the leaf axils is held against the tissue instead of draining away.
How to correct overwatering on Kalanchoe
- 1
Allow the potting mix to partially dry out between waterings, and water sparingly in winter so the crown never sits in moisture for long.
- 2
Remove the foil sleeve from any nursery-potted supermarket kalanchoe so water cannot puddle at the base of the stem after each drink.
- 3
Move the recovering plant into brighter, well-ventilated light so the surface of the mix dries quickly and the heart of the rosette stops staying wet.
Keep overwatering from repeating on this Kalanchoe
Pot Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in a free-draining cactus-and-succulent mix in a terracotta pot with a drainage hole, water only when the top of the mix is dry, and pour at soil level rather than over the leaves so the rosette heart stays dry.