Kalanchoe pumila
Dwarf flaming Katy
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A delightful small plant that has leaves that look like wedges with rounded, rather bumpy ends. They are paired on short stems and are coloured a light purple but with a waxy coating over their surface that makes them appear in shades of grey. There are pink purple flowers in spring which are carried on stems above the foliage and make domed clusters of individual four-petalled blooms that have recurved petals and yellow stamens at their heart. Often grown in a container or basket, though they will scramble over the ground. This is a tender plant that needs a conservatory or greenhouse, full sunshine and sharply drained soil. Often overlooked, but its modest size and gentle beauty give long term satisfaction when well grown. General care: Kalanchoe like a free draining but moderately rich soil and like to be regularly watered whilst in growth and once a fortnight during winter.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Grey, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 5C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Use a balanced house plant feed that has been diluted so it is half strength. Feed the plant monthly with this from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water when compost is dry
Allow the compost to become virtually dry before watering while in growth.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).
Found in
More Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva'
Flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe, Calanchoe, Blossfeld's flaming Katy
Kalanchoe
Felt bush, Velvet leaf
Kalanchoe 'African Queen'
Flaming Katy
Kalanchoe 'Mirabella'
Flaming Katy
Kalanchoe beharensis
Donkey's ears, Behara kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe, Calanchoe, Blossfeld's flaming Katy
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Flaming Katy, Christmas kalanchoe, Calanchoe, Blossfeld's flaming Katy
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Supernova Pinkish White'
Flaming Katy