Kalanchoe Species, Chocolate Soldier, Panda Plant, Pussy Ears, Teddy Bear Plant

Kalanchoe tomentosa

Family
Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Kalanchoe (kal-un-KOH-ee)
Species
tomentosa (toh-men-TOH-suh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Succulent
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Orange
Red-Orange
Gold (yellow-orange)
Pale Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Fall/Early Winter
Mid Winter
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From leaf cuttings
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chandler, Arizona

Maricopa, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Capistrano Beach, California

Carlsbad, California

Ceres, California

Clayton, California

Culver City, California

Lancaster, California

Mountain View, California

Oak View, California

Pleasant Hill, California

Reseda, California

San Diego, California

San Leandro, California

Santa Barbara, California(2 reports)

Thousand Oaks, California

VALLEY VILLAGE, California

Van Nuys, California

Vista, California(10 reports)

Bartow, Florida

Big Pine Key, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Holiday, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Winter Haven, Florida

Volcano, Hawaii

Orangeburg, New York

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Lafayette, Tennessee

Andrews, Texas

Hondo, Texas

Houston, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
Sort By:
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A
(Zone 10a) | April 2016 | positive

Pianta facile all aperto. Fiorisce regolarmente

R
Hondo, TX | October 2012 | positive

The Kalachoe Tomentosa has to be one of the easiest (if not THE easiest) plant I've ever made rooting cuttings from. In fact, I didn't ev...Read More

C
Payson, UT | November 2010 | negative

I love this plant, and have a large mother plant that i love. I am very experienced in propagating cuttings of many different kinds, and...Read More

G
(Zone 10a) | February 2008 | positive

Not your typical succulent but it grows on you with its little spots & fuzzy leaves. I have never seen one flower or ever found a picture...Read More

M
| October 2007 | positive

Just discovered this plant in a charity sale, new to me but should survive well as I forget to water all houseplants.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | August 2004 | positive

there are many cultivars of this species available at common nurseries, so if your plant doesn't look exactly like the ones in the photos...Read More

G
| July 2004 | positive

A very attractive if slow growing plant. One to keep!

D
Henderson, NV (Zone 10a) | October 2003 | positive

UPDATE! I just moved my beloved kalanchoe tomentosa into a pot twice the size, and it's moving right in. We've had cooler weather latel...Read More

T
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Tips of this plant get a brown (almost rusty color) on the edges. It has a furry texture.

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