How to Grow & Care for Flaming Katy: Expert Tips & Tricks

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A guide to growing Flaming Katy kalanchoe plants
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Flaming Katy is a popular succulent that is a part of the kalanchoe family. As long as you follow proper care instructions, this evergreen will bloom and add color to your home year round. For this article, we interviewed plant specialists Emily Bauer and Harmony Corelitz to teach you everything you need to know about growing and caring for Flaming Katy. Plus, learn how to troubleshoot common problems, prune and propagate, and overwinter this gorgeous plant.

Flaming Katy Plant Care

Flaming Katy is a succulent, so it grows best in well-draining soil and indirect sunlight. Only water Flaming Katy when the soil feels dry, usually every few weeks. Keep your plant at a daytime temperature of 60-75° F (15-24° C) and a nightly temperature of 50-60° F (10-15° C). Keep it indoors during the winter.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Plant & Care for Flaming Katy

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  1. 1
    Plant Flaming Katy in a pot with well-draining soil. Plant your Flaming Katy in a pot of well-draining, loamy or sandy soil as soon as possible after you purchase it. In general, it’s best to use a special succulent or cactus soil tailored to meet the needs of water-retaining plants. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole, as well, as Flaming Katy doesn’t do well in wet conditions. [1]
    • If you’re planting your Flaming Katy outdoors, a loamy or sandy soil is best. Indoor plants do better with a well-draining porous blend, like a 50% potting soil and 50% cactus mix, or 60% potting soil and 40% perlite .
    • If you plan on keeping your Flaming Katy outside, make sure you live in a suitable USDA zone. Flaming Katy can usually thrive outdoors year round in zones 10-12, but will need to be kept indoors throughout the winter in colder climates.
  2. Direct sunlight can burn Flaming Katy’s leaves, so it's best to plant it in indirect sunlight. Place indoor Flaming Katy plants in an area with bright but indirect sunlight (usually an east or west-facing window), and plant outdoor plants in an area with partial shade where it won’t be exposed to direct midday sun. In general, the plant needs 6-8 of light per day. [2]
    • Corelitz says to keep your plant no more than “three feet from a window.”
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  3. Flaming Katy is a succulent, so it does not tolerate a lot of water. [3] Watering too much or too frequently can lead to root rot, so make sure the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of soil is dry to the touch before watering. Typically, you’ll only need to water once every few weeks.
    • Even if you keep Flaming Katy outdoors, it’s best to plant it in a pot rather than directly in the ground. This way, you can move it if you’re expecting a lot of rain.
    • Corelitz says, “For indoor plants, I generally suggest watering succulents from the bottom—like filling a baking tray full of water, setting the pot in it and allowing the water to soak up till it's moist at the top. That assures that all of the roots are getting saturated without getting the actual leaves wet.”
    • Baur adds that keeping pots on drainage trays is “really important for protecting your home while keeping the roots with the right amount of water that they need.”
  4. 4
    Keep temperatures between 55-80° F (12-26° C). In general, kalanchoe plants like Flaming Katy thrive in temperatures between 55-80° F (12-26° C) and are not too affected by the level of humidity. Some sources say it's best to keep your Flaming Katy in an area between 60-75° F (15-24° C) in the day and between 50-60° F (10-15° C) at night. [4]
  5. 5
    Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the active growing season. This is usually from March to August. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer , following the instructions on the container. This will help meet the plant’s increased nutrient needs as it begins to flower. [5]
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Section 2 of 7:

Troubleshooting Common Problems

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  1. 1
    Yellow leaves Usually, if your Flaming Katy has yellow leaves, it has become waterlogged. If your plant is too wet, repot it with fresh soil and water it less frequently in the future. Waterlogging can also lead to root rot , which can cause your Flaming Katy to droop and wilt. [6]
  2. 2
    Blooms won’t form If your Flaming Katy isn’t blooming, first make sure it’s in an appropriate location and you’re caring for it properly. If that isn’t the issue, give your plant a rest period of 6-8 weeks in the winter, in which you provide it with 14 hours of darkness per day and water and fertilize it less frequently. [7]
  3. 3
    White coating Flaming Katy can sometimes be affected by powdery mildew , recognized by a wipe, wipeable coating on the leaves. [8] This is typically caused by dryness. Cut back any infected parts of the plant and make sure to water it regularly when the soil gets dry.
  4. 4
    Wilting Wilting is often caused by temperatures that are too high. Make sure to keep your Flaming Katy at an appropriate temperature range, usually between 60-75° F (15-24° C) during the day and 50-60° F (10-15° C) at night. [9]
  5. 5
    Aphids and other pests Flaming Katy doesn’t generally attract pests but it may sometimes be afflicted with aphids , spider mites , and mealy bugs. If you see signs of these pests, treat your Flaming Katy with an application of Neem oil or insecticidal soap , according to the product’s instructions. [10]
    • Bauer says, “Mealy bugs look like white little puffs of cotton. They'll gather at the crevices of plants, in places where they can most easily burrow. They bite into the plant and slowly drain the sap.”
    • Bauer adds that spider mites “will make webs around parts of the plant and basically eat away at those leaves.”
    EXPERT TIP

    Emily Bauer

    Indoor Plant Specialist
    Emily Bauer is an Indoor Plant Specialist and the Founder of Bau Land, based in New York City. Bau Land, founded in 2019, is a design studio on a mission to improve people’s relationship with the environment and each other. They research and design solutions to environmental and social issues and create solutions across scales, from products and buildings to public spaces and urban plans. Prior to started Bau Land, she also founded and operated Jungle NYC, a lifestyle company that sold indoor plants and products to bring people closer to nature, no matter where they live. Emily received her Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Cornell University and her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Buffalo.
    Emily Bauer
    Indoor Plant Specialist

    Use Neem oil to get rid of pests. Mix the oil with water, and every time you water your plants, the neem oil will kill and deter pests. It’s all natural, and the oil doubles as a leaf shine. Wipe it on the plant’s leaves to make them look glossy.

  6. 6
    Dull or burnt leaves If Flaming Katy is exposed to too much direct sunlight, the leaves can burn. On the other hand, if it doesn’t get enough light, the leaves may appear drab and lose their glossy green appearance. Be sure to keep your plant in an area that receives bright but indirect sunlight. [11]
  7. 7
    Soft, fragile stems Excessive watering can lead to root and stem rot, which makes Flaming Katy’s stems soft and fragile. If you notice this problem, stop all watering until the plant recovers. In the future, only water your Flaming Katy when the soil is dry, usually once every few weeks. [12]
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Prune Flaming Katy

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  1. Prune Flaming Katy to remove dead leaves or spent blooms. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to deadhead, or remove spent blooms, whenever you notice them. [13] This is usually the only reason you’ll need to prune Flaming Katy. If the plant looks uneven and you want to prune for aesthetics, do so only after the flowering period. Cut the shoots above the leaf axis or a thick area.
Section 4 of 7:

How to Propagate Flaming Katy

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  1. 1
    Cut shoots off of Flaming Katy stems to propagate the plant. It’s generally best to propagate after the Flaming Katy’s spring flowering. Cut a shoot with at least two leaves diagonally with a sharp knife. Remove the lower pair of leaves and place the shoot cutting in a pot with growing medium or sand-enriched cactus soil. Place a plastic bag over the cutting to create a humid environment, and air it out once a day to prevent molding. Keep the cuttings in a bright and warm place at about 68-71° F (20-22° C). [14]
  2. 2
    Alternatively, cut off leaves and place them on growing medium. To propagate leaf cuttings, cut off some adult leaves with a sharp knife. Carefully score the leaf veins with the knife and place the leaves on top of a moist growing medium with the incisions facing up. Weigh them down with a small stone, keep the leaves in a bright, warm location, and moisten them regularly. Cover them with cling film to increase humidity. [15]
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Section 5 of 7:

How to Overwinter Flaming Katy

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  1. Keep Flaming Katy indoors during the winter. Flaming Katy plants are not winter-hardy, so it’s important to keep them indoors during the colder months. In order for them to bloom again, keep them in a cool, dark environment for 6-8 weeks in winter. Here’s a general overview of how to care for them during this time: [16]
    • Keep your Flaming Katy in a dark closet or cover them with a box to decrease their exposure to light. They’ll need at least 14 hours of darkness per day.
    • Keep temperatures between 59-65° F (15-18° C).
    • Bring your Flaming Katy out into indirect sunlight early in the morning.
    • Do not fertilize your Flaming Katy during this period and do not water it as frequently as you would during the active season.
Section 6 of 7:

How to Repot Flaming Katy

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  1. Repot Flaming Katy every couple of years. Flaming Katy doesn’t grow very large, so it won’t typically need to be moved into a larger pot. However, to support plant growth and health, it’s generally recommended to repot it with fresh soil every 1-3 years. [17] This is especially true if you fertilize regularly during the growing season.
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Section 7 of 7:

Flaming Katy FAQs

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  1. 1
    What is Flaming Katy? Flaming Katy is a type of succulent that belongs to the kalanchoe family and is an evergreen shrub that originated in Madagascar. [18] Flaming Katy typically blooms from February to June and can sustain blooms for many years with proper care. It’s relatively small and typically reaches a height of about 12 inches (30 cm).
    • Some of the most common Flaming Katy varieties include the Calandiva, Tom Thumb, Goldrand, and Orange Triumph.
  2. 2
    Will Flaming Katy bloom again? Flaming Katy can bloom again if kept in the right conditions. Keep your plant in a dark closet for most of the day, bringing it out for indirect sunlight early in the morning. The plant should stay in darkness for 14 hours per day for about 6 weeks. [19] Then, you should begin to see blooms. At this point, place the plant back in its usual spot with indirect sunlight. This should occur about 12 weeks after you begin the reblooming process.
  3. 3
    Can Flaming Katy be planted outside? Flaming Katy can be planted outside in USDA zones 10-12. In other zones, it may be placed outside during the summer, but must be moved back indoors well before the first freeze of the season. [20]
  4. 4
    Is Flaming Katy a succulent? Flaming Katy is a succulent, as it is a member of the kalanchoe family in the Crassula genus. It is native to Madagascar and some tropical parts of Africa, and it is a relatively small succulent, typically reaching a maximum height of about 30 cm or 12 inches. [21]
  5. 5
    How long does Flaming Katy live? Flaming Katy is a perennial evergreen, meaning it can bloom year round. [22] These plants can usually live for 3-5 years when provided with adequate light, soil, and temperature conditions.
  6. 6
    What is Flaming Katy’s growth rate? Kalanchoe plants like Flaming Katy are generally slow growing and typically take between 2-5 years to reach their mature size. They typically grow more quickly outdoors because they’re exposed to brighter conditions. Flaming Katy, in particular, is about 12 inches (30 cm) tall when it reaches maturity. [23]
  7. 7
    Is Flaming Katy poisonous? Growing and being around Flaming Katy poses no danger to humans, though it can be toxic if ingested. Flaming Katy is poisonous to cats and dogs, so do not grow it if you have pets. [24]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    When does the Flaming Katy flower?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    Usually from February to April. The more you expose the plant to the light, the more it will bloom.
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  • Question
    How do I take a cutting?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    You don't have to cut the plant. You can just remove dead flowers to stimulate flowering.
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  • Question
    How will it survive in the garden ?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    It will survive if the temperature doesn't drop below zero. Otherwise, it could die.
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      Tips

      • Playing around with the hours of daylight this plant receives can force it to flower all year round but only through reducing the amount of light. It's up to you and whether you're keen on spending the time doing this.
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      • This plant is usually pest free. If aphids bother it, use soapy water to remove them.
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      • If you place the plant outside, keep it in the shade.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Flaming Katy plant
      • Pot with drainage holes
      • Watering can
      • Well-draining soil
      • Fertilizer (optional)

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about plant care, check out our in-depth interview with Emily Bauer .

      References

      1. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP309
      2. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalanchoe/
      3. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      4. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      5. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/kalanchoe/
      6. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalanchoe/
      7. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      8. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      9. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      1. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalanchoe/
      2. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/kalanchoe/
      3. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/kalanchoe/
      4. ↑ https://www.mygarden.com/plants/kalanchoe/flaming-katy
      5. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/kalanchoe/
      6. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamental/a-reference-guide-to-plant-care-handling-and-merchandising/propagating-foliage-flowering-plants/
      7. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      8. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/succulents/grow-florists-kalanchoe/
      9. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      10. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      11. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalanchoe-blossfeldiana/
      12. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      13. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalanchoe/
      14. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP309
      15. ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2017/1/kalanchoe/
      16. http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/flaming-katy.html – research source

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