Kalanchoe tomentosa - Panda Plant

Highlights

Panda Plant, Donkey Ears (Kalanchoe tomentosa) (Baker): A soft, velvety species from Madagascar. "Tomentose" refers to the fuzzy, felt-like coating of hairs that covers the whole plant and helps it survive dry, sunny conditions. It has long, upright leaves colored silvery green with spots of chocolate brown dotting their edges. Spring blooms are maroon to copper and have the same fuzzy coating as the rest of the plant.

Soft succulents will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures they can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. They need great drainage and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 50% to 70% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to fully dry before watering again.

This variety is easy to re-root from stem cuttings. Look to our Succulent Cuttings Guide for tips on succulent propagation.

Full Kalanchoe Guide

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Silver

All Seasonal Colors

Orange / Copper

Bloom Color

Red Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Vertical Grower / Tall Stem

Special Characteristic

Easy to Propagate, Showy Blooms

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

How to prune from top or bottom leaves are turning under See answer

Panda succulent do you prune from top or bottom the leaves are turning under See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If the leaves are curling downward, this tends to be a sign that the plant needs more light. This should be provided before you do any pruning as the plant will need more energy to repair itself afterward.

Then pruning from the bottom is preferable, because the plant will make new leaves from its top. However, if it's starved for light, there's a good chance it is stretching. Click the link below to read about pruning stretched succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/faqs... See full answer »

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3 years ago

How big of a plant do we receive? See answer

I know that on some you receive one small bloom, but didn't know if this was the same or not since the price was higher. See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The size of the plant can vary roughly between 2" and 4" in height but they're all roughly 3" across. See full answer »

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3 years ago

How do you clean the dirt from shipping off See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Panda plant leaves can be challenging to clean due to the hairs, but there are two ways you can go about it.

1) You can use water to wash them. After you do this, be sure to place the plant in a sunny location to allow the leaves to fully dry again.

2) You can brush them. It's certainly tedious, but if your worried about overwatering, this might be the solution. Be careful not to tear or pull off any leaves while doing this and I highly recommend using either a paint brush or a makeup spoolie brush. See full answer »

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2 years ago

Can this plant survive in 60% sun? Filtered windows See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant would not do well in a filtered window. However, the plants at the link below will!
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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.
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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.
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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.

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