Aldi has brought kalanchoe, a succulent that tolerates heat and dry spells, to stores across Spain. At €2.49, it gives households a practical way to add color indoors or outdoors during summer.
The retailer is selling several kalanchoe varieties alongside gerbera, though the plants need different care. Kalanchoe’s thick leaves store water, so it can manage dry spells; too much moisture poses the greater risk. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist with Iowa State University Extension, advises letting the soil dry between waterings and warns that standing water can damage the roots. Emily Swihart, a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension, recommends bright, indirect light and excellent drainage.
For best results, choose a pot with drainage holes and empty any water left in its saucer. Water thoroughly once the growing medium’s surface has dried. The right interval depends on pot size and conditions such as temperature, humidity and ventilation, so a fixed daily schedule is not the answer. Yellow, soft leaves or persistently wet soil can signal excess moisture. Kalanchoe tolerates drought, but harsh, unfiltered sun, especially at midday in hot weather, can cause problems.
The plant is also prized for its long-lasting blooms. With enough light and careful watering, flowers can stay attractive for around six to eight weeks. Gardening guidance citing the New York Botanical Garden recommends placing kalanchoe about 30 to 60 centimetres from a bright window; roughly four hours of light can help keep its growth compact. Flowers come in pink and white, along with red, orange and yellow.
At €2.49, Aldi’s kalanchoe costs less than €3 and gives consumers looking for summer plants a relatively low-maintenance option. Its water-storing leaves make it more forgiving of missed watering than many conventional flowering plants, but they do not protect it from heat stress or waterlogged soil.
Spain’s hot summers can strain flowering plants, especially on exposed balconies and terraces. A report citing Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, put the average temperature in peninsular Spain at 24.5°C during what it called the country’s warmest summer in roughly 150 years. AEMET publishes municipal forecasts and temperature data, alongside active adverse-weather warnings, to help households assess local conditions before placing plants outdoors. Kalanchoe can grow indoors or on balconies and terraces, provided it gets bright light and protection from waterlogging and intense midday sun.
