How to Grow, Care and Propagate Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
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Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) grows best bright light to full sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Panda Plant also called Pussy Ears Kalanchoe or Chocolate Soldier is one of the magnificent Kalanchoe varieties and bears silvery-green, brown-edged, furry or woolly leaves and hence its other common names, 'Pussy Ears' and 'Chocolate Soldier'.
Pussy Ears Kalanchoe and its cousins Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy), Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe) and Kalanchoe uniflora (Trailing Kalanchoe) are among the sun-loving plants as they require to be exposed to direct sunshine to thrive.
Botanical name: Kalanchoe tomentosa
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Panda Plant, Pussy Ears Kalanchoe, Chocolate Soldier
Origin
Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) is native to Madagascar.
Size
Panda Plant is a small plant growing to a height of 1.5 feet only. On account of its compact size, Chocolate Soldier and its relatives Kalanchoe marmorata (Penwiper Plant) and Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant) are some of the best plants for the limited spaces.
Flowers
When growing in its native habitat, it bears fuzzy, bell-shaped flowers but it rarely flowers when grown indoors.
Is Kalanchoe tomentosa toxic?
Yes. According to ASPCA, Kalanchoe tomentosa like other Kalanchoe Plants contains Calcium glycosides which are toxic to animals. Keep the plant away from the reach of pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
would you like to add Kalanchoe Plants to your collection? You may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Kalanchoe tomentosa Indoors
Caring for Kalanchoe tomentosa indoors entails giving it bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents potting mix coupled monthly feeding during the growing season.
Panda Plant care requires repotting only when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat and tidy. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
Panda Plant thrives in bright light to full sunlight. Do not expose it to hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
If the light is not adequate, Kalanchoe tomentosa will exhibit leggy growth, yellowing and may drop its leaves. Therefore, if the natural light is insufficient, you may use a full spectrum grow light to complement it.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent legginess.
Should you choose to take your Pussy Ears Kalanchoe outdoors, gradually acclimate the plant and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves.
Watering
Water your Panda Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.
Reduce watering significantly in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time to maintain the soil barely moist. do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges. Only water with room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf fall.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
Avoid wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting. Water from the bottom instead. Use water that is at room temperature water to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Kalanchoe tomentosa flourishes in a warmth of 16-260C. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent plant.
Keep the plant away from sources of drafts to avoid flactuations in temperatures as they can result in reduced growth and eventual death of the plant.
Panda Plant has no need for high humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Panda Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing period. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Mix
The best soil for Panda Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Panda Plant only when it becomes pot-bound. Use a shallow rather than a deep pot as the plant has shallow roots. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot. Select a clay pot which is more porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster. Also ensure the soil is loose and free-draining. Check out these terracotta pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Panda Plant requires the removal of dead and diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
Ocassionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Kalanchoe tomentosa Propagation
Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings as they root easily and have no need for a rooting hormone.
Panda Plant Propagation from Leaf Cuttings
- Take leaf cuttings together with about an inch of the leaf petiole from a healthy plant.
- Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.
- Insert the leaf petiole into moist, free-draining soil while ensuring that the midrib of the leaf also comes into contact with the soil.
- Cover the set up with transparent polythene to raise humidity inorder to hasten rooting and establishment.
- Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place. Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry.
- Confirm that the rooting container has adequate drainage to avoid getting the soil soggy as it can lead to rotting of the leaf cuttings.
- Once the plantlets have grown at least one set of leaves, carefully seperate them and pot in individual pots.
- Place the new plant in a warm, well-lit spot and begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Kalanchoe Plants in 5 Easy Ways.
Kalanchoe tomentosa Problems & Remedies
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) problems are dropping leaves, drooping leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Dropping leaves
Dropping leaves on Kalanchoe tomentosa are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light to full sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, windy doors among others
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Panda Plant are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Kalanchoe tomentosa is caused by too little light. This is an attempt by the plant to reach for the light.
How to fix it
Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light to full sunlight or use a grow light where the lighting is not sufficient.
Pests
Common pests on Panda Plant are mealybugs and scale insects which are especially common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to avoid spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to depress the pests infestations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to raise humidity to discourage the pests.
Diseases
Kalanchoe tomentosa is prone to basal stem-rot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. The disease is characterized by rotting base followed by yellowing and shriveled leaves./p>
How to fix it
- Remove and discard the infected parts to minimize spread to the rest of the plant.
- Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist; avoid overwatering.
- Do not wet the leaves during watering to discourage the disease.
- Ocassionally use a fungicidal solution to water the plant to prevent the disease.
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