Kalanchoe pumila Plant Care
Kalanchoe pumila Baker
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kalanchoe pumila, the flower dust plant, is a species of flowering plant in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae, native to Madagascar. The Latin specific epithet pumila means dwarf or low-growing.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Kalanchoe pumila?
Water Kalanchoe pumila every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Kalanchoe pumila Native To?
What Is the Kalanchoe pumila?
Kalanchoe pumila (Kalanchoe pumila) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Kalanchoe genus. Kalanchoe pumila is native to Madagascar.
Kalanchoe pumila displays a compact, bushy succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Kalanchoe pumila produces small, colorful clusters of tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Kalanchoe pumila?
Kalanchoe pumila requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Kalanchoe pumila Need?
Kalanchoe pumila thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Kalanchoe pumila in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Kalanchoe pumila Prefer?
Kalanchoe pumila grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Kalanchoe pumila prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kalanchoe pumila?
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Kalanchoe pumila to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Kalanchoe pumila?
Feed Kalanchoe pumila every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Kalanchoe pumila?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Kalanchoe pumila?
Kalanchoe pumila can be propagated through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kalanchoe plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Kalanchoe pumila Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Kalanchoe pumila?
Kalanchoe pumila is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Kalanchoe pumila Need?
Kalanchoe pumila grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Kalanchoe pumila is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Kalanchoe pumila as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Kalanchoe pumila is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Kalanchoe genus — compare its care with other Kalanchoe species on PlantoScan.
Kalanchoe is part of the Crassulaceae plant family — browse all Crassulaceae genera and species.
Kalanchoe pumila thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Kalanchoe Species
Other Kalanchoe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Kalanchoe pumila Baker, family Crassulaceae (first published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 139 (1883)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Kalanchoe pumila is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Kalanchoe pumila Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species