My kalanchoe is one of the few plants I’ve had in my collection from the start. I bought it years ago from a bulk succulent tray at The Home Depot and it’s still going strong. Each season this little succulent morphs into a more beautiful specimen and adds an unexpected pop of color to my houseplant collection. During summers, I place it outside and watch it grow new offshoots and turn fiery red. Midwinter, when most of my houseplants look limp, my kalanchoe stays bright and vibrant. Moderate in size, this colorful and hearty succulent is the perfect windowsill plant. 

Kalanchoe (KAL-ən-KOH-ee)

Kalanchoes have unique, seafoam green, clamshell shaped leaves that change colors in different growing conditions. During winter, a combination of bright sunlight and a chilly windowsill temperatures turn the light green leaf edges rosy pink – a stunning color mix. In summer, the hot sun roasts those pink edges into a deep fiery red. The hotter the sun, the brighter the red. 

Two kalanchoe species share this signature color combo: kalanchoe thyrsiflora and kalanchoe luciae. They look so similar that growers often sell them under the wrong name. In a natural growing environment you can tell them apart by their flowers, but most indoor plants never get to that point. One way to tell them apart is to look at the coating. Thyrsiflora has a dusting of white powder, and luciae is more waxy. Note, thyrsiflor’s powder is toxic to pets. 

Kalanchoe without sun kissed leaves.

Kalanchoe Care

With the correct lighting, a kalanchoe is easy to care for. When grown indoors, kalanchoes need bright sunlight. South-facing, direct sunlight is best. A happy kalanchoe in well draining soil will produce offshoots at the base. You can let these grow in the same pot, or clip them off and start a new plant. They make great gifts. 

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora’s thin dusting of white powder protects it from sunburn and adds character to the already unique-looking plant. To preserve this powder, avoid wetting the leaves. Water around the soil line, or bottom-water if you can. You can tell your kalanchoe is ready for water when the leaves feel bendy. Just be careful not to leave grease marks on the powdery leaves. I like to place my kalanchoes in chalky terracotta pots. The calcified terracotta look matches the powdery plant and highlights the bright peach tones. 

Sun kissed leaves with powdery dust.

Windowsill Winner

All houseplants are beautiful, but if I had to choose a favorite windowsill plant, it would be a kalanchoe luciae. What other plant thrives on a drafty windowsill in winter and rewards you with such a stunning color combination? When you live in the northern hemisphere winters are long and drab, and happy pops of color like the ones on a kalanchoe help lift your spirits.