Plant Care Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

About Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

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

Kalanchoe humilis 'Desert Surprise'
Kalanchoe
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales

How to care for Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

💦 Water

How often to water your Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Water needs for Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'
0.5 cups
every 12

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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.

Calculate water needs of Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise': 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise': 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 Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Kalanchoe
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!


💦 Water Needs

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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. Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.


💨 Humidity

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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!


💩 Fertilizer

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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 Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' 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

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' is native to Madagascar and Tropical Africa.


🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise' can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.


🧐 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 Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'. 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!


Care Summary for Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'

Kalanchoe 'Desert Surprise'


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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