The Panda Plant is exactly as charming as the name implies. This hardy succulent has fuzzy leaves and unique brown spots along the margins that stand out. Panda plants are easy to find and even easier to maintain. Here’s everything you need to know about Panda Plant care.

Panda Plant Basics

Kalanchoe tomentosa is a member of the Crassulaceae family and hails from Madagascar. This plant has an upright growth habit and thick ovate leaves in a light green hue. The leaves have random chocolatey brown spots along the edges and are covered with silvery-white fuzz, giving this easy-care houseplant a unique charm. Plants in nature can grow two feet tall and wide. Houseplants are slow-growing but can grow rather large when they receive proper Panda Plant care.

This unique succulent is known by various names, including chocolate soldier plant, cocoon plant, panda plant, pussy ears, plush plant, teddy bear cactus, and velvet leaf kalanchoe.

Panda Plant Light Needs

The chocolate soldier plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Position this plant in a spot that receives at least six hours of daylight. Keep the fuzzy leaves away from direct light, which will burn the foliage. Insufficient light is not as harmful but can cause unsightly leggy growth. Move the plant if the foliage is not very dense and compact. Several feet away from a south-facing window or closer to an east-facing window is often a good spot. 

How Often to Water Panda Plant

Water a Panda Plant when the potting soil is dry. These succulents are drought-tolerant and must use their water reserve before they can handle being replenished. The immediate environment impacts how quickly the soil dries, but plan to water the plant every few weeks during the summer and less frequently during the winter. Try to water the plant before this happens, but the leaves will pucker and fall off if the Kalanchoe desperately needs water.

Apply water to the potting mix and avoid wetting the leaves. Plants with fuzzy leaves, like Panda Plants and African Violets, are prone to leaf rot if their foliage becomes damp, especially for an extended time.

Best Soil for Kalanchoe tomentosa

Drainage is vital for a chocolate soldier plant. Give this fuzzy succulent a well-drained potting mix that quickly sheds excess water. Take it easy and use a mix made for succulents or cacti.

Humidity and Temperature for Chocolate Soldier Plant

These plants naturally live in arid climates, so increased humidity is not ideal, but average household humidity is comfortable for Panda Plants. Low humidity is acceptable. Chocolate soldier plants are somewhat particular about temperature and prefer to stay between 60° and 75° F. Very warm or cold temperatures are trouble, so keep that in mind if you move the plant outdoors in the summer.

Panda Plant Fertilizer

Panda Plants are not heavy feeders, but they appreciate an annual application of plant food each spring. Use a product intended for cacti or succulents and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Does Panda Plant Bloom?

Tiny red flowers open in the summer, although houseplants rarely bloom. Up your game and provide perfect Panda Plant care to increase the odds of your plant blooming, but don’t count on it. Many other varieties of Kalanchoe bloom indoors, so select another cultivar if you want an indoor plant that blooms.

When to Repot Kalanchoe tomentosa 

Repot Panda Plants every one to three years as the plant outgrows its container. These are slow-growing plants, so they can often sit tight for a while. Always use fresh, well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage when repotting Kalanchoe.

Panda Plant Propagation

Panda Plants naturally send out pups or offshoots, which will mature into separate plants. Remove the pups when they are at least one inch tall after a few months. Trim the roots if necessary to separate them, and repot the young plant in a new container with a well-draining mix. Water a couple of weeks after planting.

Propagating Kalanchoe tomentosa via cuttings can be tricky, but it is possible. For whatever reason, succulents with fuzzy leaves are difficult to propagate. Twist a leaf to remove it. The leaf should snap or pop off. The ideal propagation candidate will have a clean break without any part of the leaf remaining on the stem. Let the leaf sit for a couple of days so the wound callouses over.

Fill a container or tray with well-draining potting mix and position it in bright, indirect sunlight. Place the leaf on the soil and wait. Roots appear in a few weeks. You can water the cutting once the roots emerge. A new, tiny plant should appear in a few more weeks. The cutting should stay in place while the new plant begins to grow. The new Panda Plant will get energy from the cutting, so wait until it naturally falls away.

Is Panda Plant Pet Safe?

Kalanchoe tomentosa is toxic to animals, including dogs and cats. Panda Plants are mildly poisonous to humans. Be aware before introducing this plant into your home or giving it as a gift.