Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Kalanchoe Tomentosa: Panda Plant Care

Hailing from Madagasca is the remarkable Kalanchoe tomentosa. A warm and fuzzy succulent which brings warm and comforting energy to the room. It has earned its main moniker, ‘Panda Plant’, but it is also has cultivars known as ‘Chocolate Soldier’ ‘Pussy Ears’, to name a few.

How to Care for a Kalanchoe Tomentosa

It is a robust grower indoors and can survive in general heating conditions indoors, although if falls below It will be time to say goodbye. What more can anyone ask of plant which reminds people of their teddy bear.

This succulent is a joy to have in your collection. The greyish-green colour of its soft downy hair leaves, with dark brown along the edge, makes a nice contrast against leathery dark green leafed plants or cacti you may have. It is a low maintenance plant with over 100 varities.

Family Ties

Classification: Kalanchoe tomentosa
Family: Crassulaceae

Kalanchoe tomentosa to can grow up 7ft outdoors in the right condition. As an indoor plant it is a much smaller plant with a branching habit that lends itself to hanging baskets. It is important to give it an environment as close to its natural one as you can.

Plant in a well draining soil, preferable a cactus mix formulated for ultimate drainage. You don’t need to fertilize this plant unless you really think there is some deficiency in its growth.

Light

Full bright sunlight mimics its natural traditional environment In its natural environment it would get full on sun. A balance of bright and moderate sunlight will work best.

Flowers

The flowers blend in so well with the plant they could be easy to missed as they bell shaped but retain the same color and texture as the rest of the plant.

Watering

Like most succulents, the water is stored in the leaves for those dry times, as a houseplant it hold back on the water. Correct watering is the trick to keeping this plant healthy. It will let you know by the yellowing of its leaves, which lets you know root rot setting in. The soil should dry out completely between watering. Watch your leaves and they will guide you. If they don’t look plump and healthy, and start to droop, then its time to hydrate.

Temperature

It is a very hardy succulent and tolerates temperatures from 60-70F (15-20C). If you have it outdoors in a 4 season climate, be sure to bring it inside if the temperature drops below the aforementioned range.

Pests

Although the Panda plant is a tough one for most pests to invade, which I call the usual suspects, such as aphids, mealy bugs and spider mites, it does happen. I have used sticky traps, but my home made eucalyptus and detergent remedy, in a spray bottle seems to work best. Inspect your plant carefully as the fine hairs make bugs difficult to see.

Propagation

Making babies of the plant is easy, and is best done from whole leaves, although you can also do it from stem and leaf cuttings.

Cut the leaf just above the node area, then allow a callous to form over the cut by leaving it for a couple of days.

Safety

Sadly, this teddy bear of a plant is not s good friend to your pets, because it is toxic for them if ingested.

Final thoughts…

Now you know the tips and tricks to keep your Kalanchoe Tomentosa happy, there is no excuse. Get growing!