Scientific Name
Kalanchoe tomentosa 'Chocolate Soldier'
Common Name(s)
Chocolate Soldier, Cocoon Plant, Panda Bear Plant, Panda Plant, Plush Plant, Pussy Ears, Teddy Bear Cactus, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Origin
Kalanchoe tomentosa 'Chocolate Soldier' is a cultivar of Kalanchoe tomentosa.
Description
Kalanchoe tomentosa 'Chocolate Soldier' is a beautiful succulent shrub with erect branches and narrow, elliptical, slightly concave leaves. The entire plant is covered with a fuzzy, felt-like coating of hairs. It slowly grows, branching at the base and reaching a height of 12 inches (30 cm) and a width of 10 inches (25 cm). The base of the stems becomes woody with age. This cultivar has narrower leaves than the species and thicker, dark chocolate brown margins.
The small flowers are bell-shaped, attractively furry, and yellow-green with dark brown petal tips, appearing in spring and summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
How to Grow and Care
Locate the indoor Panda Plant in medium to bright light. As with most succulents, the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings. Watering is a limited part of Panda Plant care. When watering, do so thoroughly, giving the plant an infrequent drink.
You'll find that humidity is not an issue when learning how to grow a Panda Plant successfully. The average room provides enough moisture for this easy-care, furry plant. The indoor Panda Plant can live for many years in these conditions.
If desired, move it outside during spring and summer, but protect it from the hot afternoon sun. During these months, fertilize with a balanced houseplant food mixed at half-strength as part of Panda Plant care.
When growing Panda Plants, you'll likely find more areas in the home that would benefit from one of these plants. Propagation of the Panda Plant is an easy and inexpensive way to increase the number of plants. Root leaves of the plant in spring or summer in sandy potting soil or a perlite mixture.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe.
Forms
Links
- Back to genus Kalanchoe
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
