How to Repot a Florist Kalanchoe
Repot a Florist Kalanchoe every 2 to 3 years into a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix. The best time is just after the bloom cycle ends, when fresh growth is starting to push.
How to Know It's Time to Repot
Florist Kalanchoes are compact succulents bred for their big flower clusters, so the signs of a too-small pot are often easier to feel than to see. Watch for these signals once the blooms have faded.
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1Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
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2The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
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3Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.
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4Lower leaves yellow and drop while the top of the plant looks fine.
One sign alone isn't enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time for fresh soil. Most Florist Kalanchoes need a new pot every 2 to 3 years, ideally right after a bloom cycle ends.
The Best Time of Year to Repot
Florist Kalanchoes recover best from repotting when they're not in flower, since blooming pulls energy away from root recovery. Wait until the last of the flowers have faded and you start to see fresh leaf growth pushing from the center.
Late spring through summer is ideal, when warmth and longer days speed up root healing. Use the map below to find your window.
How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix
Pot Size
Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Florist Kalanchoes have small, shallow root systems and prefer a snug fit. Too much extra space holds wet soil around the roots and rots them.
Pot Material
Terracotta is the best choice for Florist Kalanchoes. The breathable walls dry the soil evenly between waterings, which matches what these rot-prone roots want.
Plastic and glazed ceramic work too, but you'll need to water less often to keep up with the slower drying. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Florist Kalanchoes rot fast in standing water.
Soil Mix
Mix one part standard potting soil with one part coarse perlite or pumice for the gritty, fast-draining blend Florist Kalanchoes want. A pre-mixed cactus or succulent mix works just as well straight from the bag.
Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these roots and lead to rot.
How to Repot a Florist Kalanchoe, Step by Step
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1Let the soil dry out. Stop watering a week before you plan to repot. Dry soil falls away from the small roots cleanly and gives any freshly cut roots a chance to callus before they meet new soil.
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2Pick the new pot. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh gritty mix in the bottom so the plant will sit at the same height it did before.
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3Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. Support the base of the plant, not the leaves. If it's stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it.
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4Inspect the roots. Gently brush away the old soil so you can see the roots clearly. Trim away any sections that are black, mushy, or smell sour with a clean knife. Healthy Kalanchoe roots are firm and pale tan.
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5Set it in the new pot. Center the plant at the same depth it was growing before, with the base of the stems right at the soil line. Fill in around the sides with fresh gritty mix, pressing gently as you go to keep the plant upright.
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6Wait a week, then water. Do not water immediately. Let the freshly cut roots callus over in dry soil for about a week, then give the plant a slow, thorough drink. Watering wet wounds is the fastest way to rot a Florist Kalanchoe after repotting.
What to Expect After Repotting
Weeks 1 to 2
A little leaf droop or pause in new growth is normal as the roots settle into their new home. Older lower leaves may yellow and drop, which is also normal.
Keep the soil dry for the first week, then water normally. Give the plant bright light, ideally a few hours of direct sun, and skip fertilizer for now.
Weeks 3 to 6
A flush of fresh green leaves at the growing tips is the signal that the plant has rooted in and is ready for normal care.
Resume your normal watering rhythm and start half-strength liquid fertilizer once new growth is well underway, then build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings. Hold off on bloom-boost fertilizer until you're trying to trigger a new flower cycle.
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