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Products > Kalanchoe tomentosa
 
Kalanchoe tomentosa - Panda Plant
   

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Succulent
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops)
Origin: Madagascar
Evergreen: Yes
Red/Purple Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Green Yellow
Bloomtime: Summer
Height: 1-3 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F
May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes
Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) Erect evergreen succulent to around 2 feet tall with 3 inch long soft fuzzy leaves with dark reddish brown toothed margins on upper half held in open rosettes at stem tips. In summer can appear, clustered atop 18 in stall stalks, the yellow green flowers with dark brown petal tips, but flowering is not that common. Plant in a well-draining soil in full sun to part shade (requires protection from full sun in inland desert areas) and water only occasionally to very little. Cold hardy to around 25 °F. A great smaller plant in the garden as an accent and very popular as a container specimen or even used indoors as a houseplant. Bernard Descoings in Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Crassualaceae notes that in Madagascar it is a popular belief that this plant flowering for someone is an indication of richness and prosperity for their household. The name Kalanchoe is somewhat of a mystery - there is some thought that it comes from a phonetic transcription of the Chinese words 'Kalan Chauhuy' meaning "that which falls and grows", likely in reference to the plantlets that drop from many of the species but others believe it from the ancient Indian words 'kalanka' meaning "spot" or "rust" and 'chaya' meaning "glossy" in reference to the reddish glossy leaves of the Indian species K. laciniata. The specific epithet is in reference to the fuzzy hairs covering the leaves. It received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993. We also grow that darker cultivar Kalanchoe tomentosa 'Chocolate Soldier'

The information about Kalanchoe tomentosa that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.

 
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