Fire and Plant – The Flaming Katy

The Kalanchoe has become one of the most popular flowering houseplants. One variety of this beloved plant is the Flaming Katy.

The Flaming Katy is perhaps the most well-known variety of Kalanchoe. Like all other types of Kalanchoe, the Flaming Katy is an exotic beauty with long-lasting blooms.

Both names, the botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and the common name Flaming Katy, stem from the plant's discovery. The German seed merchant Robert Blossfeld first introduced the Kalanchoe species to Europe in 1930, and the botanical name is derived from his name. The name Flaming Katy refers to the colors of the flowers, which were originally bright red when the plant was first discovered. The Flaming Katy is also nicknamed the Madagascar Bell, a reference to its origin in Madagascar.

Today, Flaming Katy comes in a wide range of flower colors, including red, yellow, orange, white, as well as shades of pink and purple. New cultivars of this popular houseplant also feature double flowers. Like all other plants in the Kalanchoe genus, Flaming Katy is a short-day plant. The most beautiful blooms are produced during the winter months, when the day length falls below 11 hours. These light conditions can be simulated year-round by covering the plant with a box or a bucket to block out the daylight.

Unfortunately, many houseplants share a common trait: they are toxic to either humans or animals in some way. While Flaming Katy is not toxic to humans, it is best to keep it away from our feline companions. For cats, ingesting the plant can lead to paralysis and difficulty breathing. In general, if children or animals live in a household who cannot assess what is harmful to them, it is important to consider the toxicity of all plants, not just Flaming Katy.