Kalanchoe tomentosa, a gentle fat plant

Want to add a little sweetness to your cactus and succulent collection? Discover Kalanchoe tomentosa. With its white down and brown spots, this Crassulaceae native to Madagascar has earned the nickname of panda plant.

How to recognize the panda plant, Kalanchoe tomentosa?

A perennial with a bushy, upright habit, Kalanchoe tomentosa can reach a metre in height in its natural habitat.

The branched stem is bare at the base and lignifies over time. Gray-green, it is wrapped in a white down.

The fleshy leaves grow in a rosette. Oblong and pointed, they measure up to ten centimeters in length. Their margins are crenellated and ringed with black. The rest of the leaf blade is green and covered with white hairs.

In the wild, the panda plant is adorned with yellow and purple tubular flowers. But they are rare indoors. If you want a flowering succulent, it's best to choose a Blossfeld's Kalanchoe or a Kalanchoe of Daigremont.

Kalanchoe tomentosa is toxic if swallowed. It contains bufadienolides, a substance that causes neurological and muscular disorders. All parts of the panda plant are dangerous. Keep it out of reach of pets.

Our maintenance tips

Although kalanchoe tomentosa can't stand the cold, they adapt very well to the dry air of our apartments, even in winter. Regular watering and a little care are all it takes to grow them indoors.

Watering

Kalanchoe tomentosa likes regular, but not excessive, watering. Its roots must not be drowned. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or filtered water at room temperature.

Between waterings, let the soil dry on the surface (by about two centimetres).

Remember to remove any stagnant water from the saucer or planter.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Kalanchoe tomentosa to give it more space.

Get a pot with holes in it. Over time, foliage can become imposing. To prevent its weight from tipping the container over, choose a heavy model, in terracotta or ceramic for example. Line the bottom with pebbles.

This variety appreciates rich, well-drained soil. You can combine potting soil for flowering plants or heather soil with perlite or pozzolan. Pour in a layer of substrate, then plant your specimen in the center. Fill in with the rest of the mixture.

Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Kalanchoe tomentosa, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Add flowering plant fertilizer to watering water.

Prune

After flowering, remove wilted flowers.

Use a clean, sharp tool, such as a pair of scissors or pruning shears.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate a healthy, flowerless stem. Using a clean, sharp tool, cut off an eight- to ten-centimeter section. Remove the lower leaves and leave to dry for 24 hours before planting.

Line a small, perforated pot with potting soil for seedlings and cuttings. Using a pen or pick, make a pilot hole. Plant your cutting, taking care not to bury the leaves.

Place your cutting in a sunny spot and spray the substrate regularly with water to keep it moist.

Diseases / Threats

Downy mildew

Aphids

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Crassulaceae - Crassulaceae
Type	Kalanchoë - Kalanchoe
Species	Panda plant - Kalanchoe tomentosa
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Herbaceous Succulent
Tags	Beginner Fritillary Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color
Flower colors