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Cathedral Bells

5.0 out of 5 (3 experiences)

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

About Cathedral Bells

Plants in the Kalanchoe genus are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. They range from rubbery green leaves, to leopard print, and some are even fuzzy! The word Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese name for these plants, pronounced Ka-lun-koh-ee in English. Their succulent leaves help store water during droughts, so they'll be just fine if you skip a watering or two (it happens!).

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Kalanchoe pinnata

Genus

Kalanchoe

Family

Crassulaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Also known as

Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Good Luck Leaf, Siempre Viva / Leaf of life, Kalanchoe pinnatum and Bryophyllum Pinnatum

How to care for Cathedral Bells

💦 Water

How often to water your Cathedral Bells

Cathedral Bells needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Cathedral Bells in your home

Cathedral Bells love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Cathedral Bells does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Cathedral Bells in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Cathedral Bells

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Cathedral Bells: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Cathedral Bells after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Kalanchoe

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Cathedral Bells thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Cathedral Bells Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Cathedral Bells requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Cathedral Bells is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Cathedral Bells is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Cathedral Bells Edible? →

Cathedral Bells Toxicity to Cats →

Cathedral Bells Toxicity to Dogs →

Cathedral Bells Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Cathedral Bells prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

🪴 Soil

Cathedral Bells is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

What Are Healthy Cathedral Bells Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Cathedral Bells should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Cathedral Bells to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Cathedral Bells is native to Madagascar and Tropical Africa.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Cathedral Bells can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Cathedral Bells Hardiness Zones →

Is Cathedral Bells a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Cathedral Bells →

What Eats Cathedral Bells? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Cathedral Bells. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!