Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?

Kalanchoe

I received this plant about 3 years ago, it originally was small and had pink blooms on it.  Since then I has never bloomed again and it seems to be growing straight up.  It is really easy to regrow.  All you have to do is pull off a leaf and stick it in the dirt and boom a new plant will grow.  The leaves are dark green and waxy/shiny. LuAnn

Reply:

LuAnn,

You have a type of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.  Yes, they are very easy to grow.  It looks as if this one is getting ready to bloom again.   The more you pinch it the fuller the plant will become and it will also keep it from becoming leggy.  In order for kalanchoe to bloom they need lengthy exposure to darkness similar to that of a poinsettia.  In the greenhouse, we move them to a place that has really low light and that seems to work for us.  After they bloom we trim the plant back and this seems to help as well.  The Flower Shop Network Kalanchoe page has some care tips that might help.    Kalanchoe Care Tips. You'll need to scroll down the page to see them.

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