- How is it poured?
- How is fertilized?
- When will it be repotted?
- When and will it be cut?
- How do you overwinter?
- Are vermin or diseases threatening?
The thick fleshy leaves of the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora vaguely resemble those of some types of cabbage, giving the attractive houseplant the German name desert cabbage. If the plant gets enough light, the leaf edges and leaf surfaces turn deep red, which gives the succulent an extremely attractive appearance. The desert cabbage is a very undemanding roommate whose care does not pose any particular challenges even for people without the proverbial green thumb.
The desert cabbage stores water over a longer period of time
How is it poured?
This Kalanchoe needs very little water because it is able to store liquid in its thick leaves and draw on it for quite a while. You always have to water when the upper centimeters of the substrate feel dry after the thumb test. Pour away excess water in the saucer, because the succulent reacts very sensitively to waterlogging.
How is fertilized?
The desert cabbage is also very undemanding in this respect. It is sufficient to fertilize with a commercially available liquid fertilizer every four weeks during the growth period.
When will it be repotted?
Since this Kalanchoe grows relatively slowly, it usually only needs a larger planter every three years. You should repot at the latest when roots grow out of the water drainage holes. The ideal time for this measure is spring.
When and will it be cut?
Only very rarely does it have to be cut:
- Cut off the faded flower stalks, which unfortunately do not develop too often in indoor culture, low above the ground.
- Strayed, i.e. thin and long-growing shoots, are also cut out in spring.
How do you overwinter?
You can overwinter this succulent either cool, at temperatures between 10 and fifteen degrees, or indoors at around 20 degrees. Keep the Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora drier in winter than in summer, only water in sips.
Are vermin or diseases threatening?
The desert cabbage is very rarely attacked by pests or diseases.
- Root rot occasionally occurs due to overwatering. In this case, place the succulent in fresh cactus soil and water it significantly less in the future.
- Mealybugs and mealybugs usually disdain the fleshy leaves. Commercially available insecticides or biological contact agents can help here.
- Powdery mildew, which occasionally causes trouble for other Kalanchoe species, is rarely found on desert cabbage.
tips
If the desert cabbage is too dark, the leaves remain simply green. Therefore, always place the plant in a full sun location.