Kalanchoe Tomentosa – Care of Panda Plant Pussy Ears Donkey Ears

Kalanchoe tomentosa, also known as Panda Plant, is a low-maintenance succulent with fuzzy leaves. Its soft texture and unique look make it a great choice for growing indoors.

This post explains everything you need to know about growing Kalanchoe tomentosa. We’ll cover its light, water, and soil needs in detail.

You’ll also learn how to propagate it to get new plants. Whether you’re new to succulents or adding to your collection, this guide will help you succeed.

Keep reading to learn more about how to grow and care for panda plant.

Kalanchoe tomentosa overview

This table gives an overview of the care of panda plant. It highlights their key characteristics, from sunlight needs to pruning and maintenance.

Common names	Panda plant, pussy ears, donkey ears, chocolate soldier
Botanical name	Kalanchoe tomentosa
Family	Crassula
Plant type	Tender succulent
Sunlight needs	Full sun to partial shade
Soil requirements	Succulent soil with added organic matter
Soil pH	Slightly acidic soil
Bloom time	Late winter to early spring
Flower color	Yellow to brown
Hardiness zones	10-11
Native area	Madagascar

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Growing Kalanchoe tomentosa

Panda plant care is relatively easy. It is a popular succulent houseplant because of its ease of care, small size, and fuzzy foliage with the dark-red rimmed tips. Follow these tips for optimal care:

Sunlight needs:

Kalanchoe tomentosa will grow in a range of sunlight exposures from full sunlight to partial shade.  Indoors, give it a sunny window position and watch it thrive.

Kalanchoe outdoors does best in a place where it will get 6 hours of sunlight.  In the harshest conditions, some light shade is beneficial.

Watering requirements for Kalanchoe tomentosa

Panda plant succulent has average succulent watering needs. Water more in the summer months until the dormancy period.

A good way to water indoors is the “soak and drain” method.  To do this, bring the plant to the sink and give it a good soak, allowing the water to drain out of the drain hole in the bottom of the pot.

Once it has stopped draining, return it to a saucer in its normal spot.

Soil needs for the panda plant

Like all succulents, a well-draining soil mix is needed for Kalanchoe tomentosa since the plant can be prone to root rot. Kalanchoes, in general, like a bit more organic matter in their soil than other succulents do.

You can choose a specially formulated soil for cacti and succulents, or add perlite or coarse sand to ordinary potting soil.

Panda plants like a slightly acidic soil with a pH of about 6. 

How to fertilize Kalanchoe tomentosa

Feed your Kalanchoe tomentosa plant with a diluted fertilizer recommended for succulents. This can be done once a month from spring until the middle of summer.

Don’t fertilize in late summer when the plant is dormant. 

Ideal temperature range for panda plant

The plant can take extended temperatures down to only 35 degrees – Don’t let it freeze. It enjoys good ventilation.

Kalanchoe tomentosa likes a moderate temperature range of between 60 – 75°F (15-23°C).

Kalanchoe tomentosa flower and foliage

Generally speaking, only outdoor kalanchoe varieties will flower. It is rare to see it flower indoors.  The leaves and flowers have little hairs on them, which give them a velvety look.

The edges of the leaves have a reddish tint, which turns a deep mahogany color when they mature. They grow to about 3 inches long.

The flowers are bell-shaped and are hairy just the way the leaves. The edges of the flowers are more rounded.

Mature size of Kalanchoe tomentosa

Panda plants are normally quite compact if they get enough light, but can stretch to the light if they don’t get enough. Kalanchoe tomentosa will grow to about 24 inches tall when mature.

The plant is easy to repot if it grows too big for its current container.

Diseases and insects

Like most succulents, fungal diseases caused by over-watering are something to be on the lookout for. This could show itself with limp leaves that easily fall off.

Mealybugs, spider mites, and scale are insects that can be a problem. Mealybugs show up as tiny white insects that have a cotton-like look to them.  

Scale insects are found on the stems of succulents and are quite hard. They can be scraped off with a fingernail.

Because of its furry leaves, this plant is especially prone to root rot.

Cold hardiness for Kalanchoe panda plant

Panda plant is cold-hardy outdoors in zones 10 and warmer.

In colder climates, grow Kalanchoe tomentosa as an indoor plant.

Get some ideas for succulent containers for your panda plant. You’ll be amazed at some common household items that can be used.

How to propagate Kalanchoe tomentosa

Get new plants for free by propagating Kalanchoe tomentosa from its leaves or stems, or by separating offsets that grow at the base of the plant. Kalanchoe plants are easy to propagate.

In the spring or summer, twist the leaves away from the stem and allow them to callous over.

Place the leaves with calloused ends on a tray of sand or seed-starting soil. Small roots will develop at the end of the leaf, and new plantlets will soon form. Be careful not to over-water the cuttings, or they will rot.

You can also take a cutting of the top growing tip of the plant and plant the entire cutting in soil. It will develop roots and start growing larger. The mother plant will get more bushy under the cut area.

Kalanchoe tomentosa varieties

Kalanchoe tomentosa comes in two main colors:  grayish blue (panda plant) and golden brown (chocolate soldier).

There is also a variety with more whitish gray leaves called kalanchoe eriophylla (Snow White Panda Plant), which is considered slightly more cold-hardy.

General tips about Kalanchoe tomentosa

Toxicity

Kalanchoe tomentosa is toxic to animals.  All parts of the plant are toxic when ingested. Symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and general lethargy.

If a large amount is eaten, the plant can be fatal to small pets.

Dormancy period

Kalanchoe tomentosa has a dormancy period in the late summer months. You can reduce the temperature range and water less during this time.

This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Where to purchase panda plant

Check the garden centers of both Lowe’s and Home Depot. I found my plant at a small local garden center.  The Farmer’s market is also a great place to purchase succulents. The plant is also available online:

• Kalanchoe Tomentosa on Amazon.
• Kalanchoe Tomentosa on Etsy.
• Kalanchoe Tomentosa on Mountain Crest Gardens.

Be sure to check out my tips for buying succulents. This gives information on what to look for both locally and when buying online.

Other varieties of kalanchoe succulents

Kalanchoes are some of my favorite succulents. If you love them too, check out these articles:

• Kalanchoe Houghtonii – Growing Mother of Thousands Plant
• Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Care – Growing Flaming Katy – Widow’s Thrill – Christmas Kalanchoe
• Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora – Care of Paddle Plant
• Kalanchoe Millotii – Ornamental Succulent from Madagascar

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