Can Kalanchoe pinnata plant be grown at home? | Why would you want to grow them?

 Kalanchoe pinnata

How to grow a Kalanchoe pinnata plant?

Kalanchoe pinnata is often referred to as the Christmas cactus. It is native to South Africa and Angola. There are hundreds of different cultivars of kalanchoes. Its species name comes from Greek words meaning “pinna” (pine) and “kallos” (beautiful).

 It is an evergreen perennial shrub. It grows well in full sun, prefers dry conditions and tolerates moderate frost. In general, kalanchoe pinnata requires moderately fertile soils, high humidity, regular waterings, and a bright spot; however, it does not require much sunlight. The plants develop small succulent leaves, producing flowers in winter-spring. Flowers have a bell shape with five sepals and five petals. The flowers are white or pale pink and have five stamens. Kalanchoe pinnatas have a long flowering period and bloom for about eight weeks.

 In nature, kalanchoes live in rocky places where they receive less light and grow longer than their cultivated counterparts. The wild varieties tend to get bigger and have thicker stems, while cultivated ones do not have such a strong root system and stay smaller. Kalanchoes do not respond well to cold temperatures and should not be planted early in spring if temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius. When grown indoors, they prefer a temperature between 55°F -75°F (13°C –24°C). If exposed to direct sunlight, kalanchoes will burn easily and lose its hardiness. To prevent this, make sure that you give them plenty of space. Kalanchoes also need ample amount of fertilizer and a good watering schedule.

 

Can Kalanchoe pinnata plant be grown at home?

Kalanchoe pinnata is one of the many plants that can be grown indoors. It's one of those plants that is commonly seen growing in nurseries and botanical gardens. There are two versions of kalanchoes that we're focusing on here: the kalanchoe and the kalanchoe lily.

 The kalanchoe is native to tropical Africa and South America and the kalanchoes lily was introduced from Australia. Both forms of the kalanchoe have been cultivated for thousands of years and are now popular houseplants.

 Kalanchoes are carnivorous plants that eat insects and small arthropods.

 

 Why would you want to grow them?

 Kalanchoes are great for beginners who are trying to get their feet wet in gardening.

 They're fast-growing, easy to care for, beautiful, and don't require too much space.

 

 What does it need?

 A sunny window is ideal. You'll want enough room around the plants to allow some air circulation.

 

 How do I go about growing it?

 You can buy seedlings online and grow them yourself, or if you want to save money, you can opt to purchase a pre-made potting mix and start your own plants from seeds.

 

 For the kalanchoe, you can buy kalanchoe seeds online or at a nursery. If you choose to buy pre-made pots, you'll want to make sure they're not too big. They should be shallow enough to sit inside a vase without sinking.

 

 Place the pot in a warm area until the seeds sprout. Keep them in a slightly moist environment, but not too damp. Once the roots develop, add a little bit of water once per week until the plants reach 1/2 inch. After that, increase watering to once per day.

 

 Once the plants are established, you can move them outside in full sunlight and keep them watered throughout the summer.

 

What is Kalanchoe pinnata good for?

Kalanchoe pinnata is native to South Africa and it was first introduced to America in 1883. It belongs to a genus of flowering plants known as Crassulaceae (the stonecrop family) and consists of approximately 150 species worldwide. There is no scientific evidence that kalanchoe is toxic or harmful to humans; however, its use may cause skin irritation if applied directly to the skin. If ingested, it will irritate the stomach lining and cause nausea. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with allergies to plants belonging to the Compositae family.

 

 How does it look?

 Kalanchoe pnata is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant. It grows from 1-15 inches tall and spreads outwards. Its small green leaves are arranged spirally along the stem. Each leaf is about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. The flowers grow at the top of the plant and have 5 petals. The flowers are white, pink, red or pale yellow. It blooms throughout summer until late autumn.

 

 It's medicinal uses

 The entire plant contains various medicinal compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, steroids and cardiac glycosides. These compounds have been shown to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, antiparasitic, antiviral, cytotoxic, antitumor, immunostimulatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and hypouricemic activities.

 

 It's culinary uses

 Kalanchoe pneata is commonly used in salads, desserts, jams, jellies, syrups, wines and teas. You can make a jelly from the leaves and stems, and add them to salads to give them a slightly bitter taste. The blossoms can be eaten raw or cooked, while the seeds can be roasted and added to soups. You can even use the rootstocks as edible decorations.