Kalanchoe tomentosa 'Chocolate Soldier'

Highlights

'Chocolate Soldier' (Kalanchoe tomentosa) (Baker): A cinnamon brown cultivar of the well-loved Panda Plant from Madagascar. "Tomentose" refers to the fuzzy, felt-like coating of hairs that covers the whole plant and helps it survive dry, sunny conditions.

This stemmed variety has long, upright leaves that range in color from rusty red to silvery green with spots of chocolate brown dotting the leaf edges. Spring blooms are maroon to copper and have the same fuzzy coating as the rest of the plant.

'Chocolate Soldier' makes an outstanding, low-maintenance house plant in sunny rooms. It will stay small and tidy in a pot and only needs water when the soil is completely dry and the leaves start to feel flexible. This resilient plant is happiest with gritty soil and pots with drainage holes. It's even easy to re-grow from leaf cuttings (Guide to Succulent Cuttings).

Full Kalanchoe Guide

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Orange / Copper

All Seasonal Colors

Silver

Bloom Color

Red Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

9"-12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Vertical Grower / Tall Stem

Seasonality

Blooms in Spring

Special Characteristic

Easy to Propagate, Slow Grower, Hard to Kill

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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2 years ago

How to get rid of the nats that are in my plants. See answer

There are little nats in the soil See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

These are likely fungus gnats and they can be a real nuisance, but there are a few ways you can go about dealing with them. Please note, the best strategies for exterminating them deal with both the flying adults and the larval worms that live in the soil, so be sure to employ multiple treatments to ensure success.

1) Sticky traps. Grab a yellow index card and smear some honey or thick corn syrup over both surfaces. Suspend this card an inch above the soil your plant is in. The yellow color and sugary smell will attract the flying adults which will get stuck to the card (growing a carnivorous plant, like a sundew, near the infested plant will work as well).

2) 1.5% hydrogen peroxide. Buy hydrogen peroxide from any store where first aid supplies are sold. Usually, it's sold as 3% hydrogen peroxide. Then mix it in a 1:1 ratio with water, giving you 1.5% hydrogen peroxide. Water with this mixture instead of plain water. This will kill the soil dwelling larva. Be warned, hydrogen peroxide will turn into water and oxygen rapidly, in the presence of sunlight. Please keep this mixture out of sunlight until you… See full answer »

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2 years ago

What do you do when your kalanchoe gets leggy See answer

I have a pink butterflies kalanchoe and it is getting VERY tall/long and has lost a lot of its leaves along the base of the stem.
We keep our home 65° year round so the indoor succulents don't thrive as well inside as they do outside See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The first step is to verify that your plant is getting enough light. Legginess is a classic symptom caused by a lack of light. Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies' needs 5 or 6 hours of bright sunlight a day to be happy. If its pink color is fading, that's another good sign that your plant isn't getting enough light. If your plant isn't getting enough light any pruning efforts will merely harm the plant because it won't have the energy required for new growth.

Then, simply follow the steps at the link below.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/faqs... See full answer »

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1 year ago

Is it safe for cats? See answer

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Kalanchoe can cause digestive issues if consumed so we do not consider them pet safe. You can browse all of our Pet-Safe Succulents at the link below.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/pet-... See full answer »

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3 years ago

Good Morning , can this plant be used to make tea, for medicial See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

No. This plant, along with other Kalanchoe plants, have been show to be mildly toxic. Ingestion can lead to irregular heart beats that can be dangerous, especially to those with heart conditions. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Is the Panda Plant poisonous to cats See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes. Panda plant, along with all Kalanchoe plants, are toxic to pets in general.

The plants contain poisons that effect the heart of living things. Symptoms of Kalanchoe poisoning include an irregular or quickened heartbeat, excessive salivation, and abdominal pain. If you believe your pet has consumed Kalanchoe plant material, the best course of action would be to take them to a vet immediately along with a sample of the plant in question.

If you believe a loved one has consumed Kalanchoe plant material, it would be wise to call poison control at (800) 222-1222. See full answer »

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2 years ago

are kalanchoe rabbit resistant? See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

It is! It's important to note that the reason Kalanchoe plants are rabbit resistant is because they are toxic. See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.

HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS

• Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
• Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
• Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…

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