Photo of Kalanchoe tomentosa foliage by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Kalanchoe tomentosa

Also Known As

  • Panda Plant

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 24"

planting zones

  • 9a-10b

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Kalanchoe tomentosa plant details

Kalanchoe tomentosa is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and white foliage. In winter yellow flowers emerge. Features fuzzy and glaucous texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional water. Does well in gritty, lean and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Kalanchoe tomentosa

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: crassulaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and white
Mature size: 0 - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in winter
Uses: compact, container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Kalanchoe tomentosa

USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional
Soil needs: gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The 'Panda Plant' remains as a relatively compact, sturdy, and hardy plant. The leaves are entirely covered with a dense white-silver felt of hairs. The leaf apex has several teeth, each marked brown in color. This suggests a plush fur, and with a little imagination, the color patterns are reminiscent of the Panda Bear.  
Tender. Fuzzy silver-green diamond shaped leaves
We are fond of this aqua green form of Panda Plant with its fuzzy foliage delicately rimmed in chocolate. It forms tidy clumps and can grow to 8-10" the the first season in containers, but will ultimately reach 18-24" high and wide if grown outdoors in warm winter climates.
The panda plant. A fuzzy, greyish succulent that forms a nice canopy. Easy to grow. Kalanchoe, commonly known as the Mother of Thousands. An unfortunate misnomer, as many kalanchoe are slow or difficult to propagate. K. tomentosa is not as fast growing or as easy as most kalanchoe. Will not proliferate but will grow taller and branch - and can be propagated from leaves with help from the grower.
Kalanchoe tomentosa, a mounding plant with brown edged fleshy, fuzzy silver leaves. easy to grow
The Panda Plant is covered in fine white hairs giving it a nearly white appearance. Each thick succulent leaf is tipped with dark brown markings. This is an easily grown indoor or patio plant for well-drained soils. Panda Plant and Teddy Bear Plant are similar but the Teddy Bear Plant has an overall brown coloration whereas the Panda Plant is more gray to white.

Gardening facts about Kalanchoe tomentosa plant

How to Grow Kalanchoe tomentosa

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • lean
    • well-drained
    • gritty

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • white
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Flower Season

    • winter
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
    • fuzzy

See other plant types of Kalanchoe for your garden

aka Kalanchoe beharensis maxima, Felt Plant, Naked Feltleaf, Velvet Elephant Ear

Plant Type

Shrub, Cactus / Succulent

Zones

10a-12

Size

Height: 10'-16'

Width: 6'-12'

  • sun - bright shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry when dormant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Kalanchoe beharensis foliage by Far Out Flora
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aka Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, Kalanchoe Stonecrop, Lavender Scallops, South American Air Plant

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

10a-12

Size

Height: 12"-18"

Width: 12"-18"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
  • dry in summer
Photo of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi flower, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

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aka Kalanchoe pumila 'Silver Gray', Flower Dust Plant, Silver Gray

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

10b-12

Size

Height: 8"-12"

Width: 24"-36"

  • sun - dappled shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Kalanchoe pumila flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
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aka Desert Cabbage, Paddle Plant, Pancake Plant

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

10a-12

Size

Height: 10"-12"

Width: 12"

  • sun - dappled shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Kalanchoe thyrsiflora foliage by plant lust
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aka Kalanchoe 'Thaland'

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

10a-11

Size

Height: 12"

Width: 12"

  • sun
  • low
Photo of Kalanchoe laciniata by Cactus Jungle
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+75 more Kalanchoe
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