The Kalanchoe is considered extremely frugal, but like all plants, it needs a new planter at regular intervals. This care measure is quite simple, but there are a few basic things to keep in mind when repotting.
How do you repot a Kalanchoe?
To repot a Kalanchoe, choose a shallow pot with good drainage, fill it with succulent or cactus soil mixed with lava granules or quartz sand and place the plant in it. Remove dried leaves and dead roots beforehand.
The right time
It is ideal to give the succulents a larger pot in early spring, at the beginning of the growing season. You will know that it is time to repot because the rosette-shaped leaves cover the entire bottom of the pot or already protrude beyond it. If roots are already growing out of the drainage hole, you can also repot in autumn.
The right planter
Kalanchoes form a rather broad, flat root system. For this reason, shallow bowls are ideal for the pretty plants. Make sure there is good drainage, as Kalanchoes react to waterlogging with root rot.
Which substrate is suitable?
Conventional potting soil, in which Kalanchoes are usually grown when purchased, is actually unsuitable for these plants. It is better to use a 50:50 mix of:
- special succulent or cactus soil
- and mineral admixtures such as lava granules or quartz sand.
This promotes aeration of the roots, which has an extremely positive effect on growth. In addition, excess water drains away more quickly and the soil does not become waterlogged.
How to repot?
First remove the plant from the old pot and then proceed as follows:
- Cover the drain hole of the new flower pot with a piece of pottery.
- Pour in a drainage layer of expanded clay and add a few centimeters of substrate on top.
- Remove all dried or shriveled leaves and cut off dead roots with a clean cutting tool.
- Place the Kalanchoe in the new pot and fill with soil.
- Press carefully and pour.
Tip
After repotting, you don't need to fertilize the Kalanchoe for a whole year. During this period, the long-term fertilizer added to the commercial substrate is sufficient for the plant.
