Kalanchoe is a popular indoor plant in recent years, loved for its beautiful appearance and fresh scent. However, there are still many doubts about whether Kalanchoe is toxic and suitable for indoor cultivation. This article will comprehensively introduce the toxicity of Kalanchoe and how to properly care for it indoors.
1. What is Kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe is a common succulent plant with thick stems, fleshy leaves that have white spots, usually long and narrow, and small flowers resembling peonies at the tips of the leaves.
2. Is Kalanchoe toxic?
Although Kalanchoe is a succulent plant, it is indeed toxic. Its toxicity mainly comes from calcium oxalate in its leaves and stems. If the leaves are accidentally ingested or touched, it can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and tongue, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing and chest tightness.
3. How to avoid accidental ingestion or contact with Kalanchoe?
Place Kalanchoe where pets and children cannot reach it. When pruning or transplanting Kalanchoe, always wear gloves and a mask to avoid contact with its toxic parts.
4. How to determine if Kalanchoe is healthy?
Kalanchoe is relatively easy to care for. As long as given appropriate environment and care, it can thrive. To judge if Kalanchoe is healthy, you can look at several aspects: the succulence of the leaves, the vibrancy of leaf color, the number and color of flower buds, etc.
5. What kind of environment does Kalanchoe need?
Kalanchoe likes warm and humid environments and requires plenty of sunlight. If grown indoors, place it near a window so it can receive sufficient sunlight.
6. How to water Kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe does not need frequent watering, generally once a week is enough. But make sure the soil is thoroughly moistened each time you water, and avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
7. How to fertilize Kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe grows slowly, so it doesn't need frequent fertilization. You can fertilize it once a month, but be careful not to use too much fertilizer to avoid burning the roots.
8. How to prune Kalanchoe?
Pruning Kalanchoe is mainly to control its shape and improve ornamental value. During pruning, cut off unnecessary branches and leaves, and appropriately trim the plant shape. Note that you should wear gloves and a mask during the pruning process.
9. What diseases are common in Kalanchoe?
Common diseases in Kalanchoe include leaf rot, spot disease, gray mold, etc. These diseases often occur due to overwatering or high humidity. Once you find Kalanchoe showing these symptoms, take measures promptly to treat it and prevent affecting its growth.
10. How to prevent Kalanchoe from getting sick?
The key to preventing Kalanchoe from getting sick is to strengthen environmental control. Keep the environment dry, avoid overwatering and poor ventilation. In addition, regular disinfection is necessary.
11. What should be noted when placing Kalanchoe indoors?
Although Kalanchoe is a beautiful indoor plant, some details need attention when caring for it indoors. For example, avoid placing it in areas with heavy foot traffic to prevent accidental touch or ingestion. Also regularly clean accumulated dust around it to maintain a clean environment.
12. What should be noted for Kalanchoe in winter?
In winter, Kalanchoe's growth slows down, so reduce the frequency of watering and fertilizing to avoid overstimulating its growth. At the same time, pay attention to maintaining temperature and humidity to avoid being affected by cold weather.
13. How to handle fallen leaves of Kalanchoe?
During Kalanchoe's growth, occasionally some leaves may fall off. At this time, clean up the fallen leaves to avoid environmental pollution and disease spread.
14. Can Kalanchoe grow with other plants?
Kalanchoe can grow with some shade-tolerant plants such as Monstera deliciosa, various flowering plants, etc. But note not to place it in a confined space to avoid competition between plants and affect growth.
15. Conclusion
Through the introduction in this article, we have learned about the toxicity of Kalanchoe and how to properly care for it indoors. Hope this helps everyone and allows more people to love this beautiful plant.
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