Light
Full sun / direct • approx. 40,000–80,000 lux
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Crassulaceae
Kalanchoe tomentosa
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Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
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- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Kalanchoe tomentosa
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~90–100% dry
Substrate
Airy + gritty • Fast-draining • Mineral-leaning • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 18–28 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C
Humidity
Normal 40–50 %
Growth habit
Upright succulent shrub.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 45 cm • Max. spread: 40 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Native to Madagascar
Outdoor growing
Outside from 12 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Kalanchoe tomentosa – Velvet-Leaved Succulent
Kalanchoe tomentosa Baker is a slow-growing, shrubby succulent native to Madagascar. It is well known for its dense layer of soft, silvery hairs that cover the entire leaf surface. This protective coating reduces water loss, shields against harsh sunlight, and gives the plant its fuzzy appearance. Over time, it develops into an upright, branching plant, typically reaching 35 – 45 cm in cultivation but capable of growing up to 1 meter in the wild. It is commonly sold as "Panda Plant" or "Pussy Ears" due to its velvety foliage.
Foliage and Growth Habit of Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Leaf Shape: Elongated, slightly paddle-shaped, with rounded tips.
- Color and Texture: Gray-green, covered in fine, felt-like hairs with brown markings along the edges.
- Growth Habit: Forms a compact, upright shrub that becomes more branched with age.
What You Need to Know About Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Size: Grows 35 – 45 cm tall in cultivation; can reach 1 meter in its natural habitat.
- Natural Habitat: Native to rocky, arid regions of Madagascar.
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets if ingested.
- Lifecycle: Long-lived, drought-resistant perennial.
Care Guide for Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight.
- Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings.
- Humidity: Thrives in dry conditions; excessive humidity can cause fungal problems.
- Temperature: Prefers warm temperatures between 18 – 30°C and should be kept above 10°C.
- Soil: Requires a well-draining succulent mix with sand or perlite for aeration.
- Repotting: Infrequent repotting is best, as it prefers slightly root-bound conditions.
- Fertilizing: Apply a diluted cactus fertilizer once per month during the growing season.
- Propagation: Easily propagated from stem or leaf cuttings.
Common Issues and Solutions for Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Pests: Susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. Treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Root Rot: Overwatering is the main cause of failure. Always use a fast-draining substrate.
- Leggy Growth: Caused by insufficient light. Increase sun exposure to maintain a compact form.
Additional Notes on Kalanchoe tomentosa
The fine hairs covering the leaves reduce water loss by creating a still air layer around the plant, slowing down transpiration. This adaptation allows Kalanchoe tomentosa to survive in harsh, arid conditions while also protecting it from sun damage.
Etymology of Kalanchoe tomentosa
The genus name Kalanchoe originates from a Cantonese term recorded by botanist Georg Joseph Kamel. The species name "tomentosa" refers to the dense, woolly hairs (tomentum) covering the leaves.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Kalanchoe tomentosa
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