Teddy Bear Cactus Kalanchoe tomentosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bryophyllum triangulare
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-lan-KOH-ee toh-men-TOH-sah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The panda plant is a semi-woody perennial succulent and a popular houseplant native of east central Madagascar and is a member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). The specific epithet, tomentosa, means "covered with fine hairs."
The panda plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours per day, but it needs to be protected from the sun in very hot climates to prevent leaf burn. This plant grows best in moist, well-drained, cactus or succulent soil mix. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. The plant prefers low humidity, is intolerant of extreme heat, and is not cold hardy. It is best planted outdoors in zones 9 to 11 and performs best in temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In our area, be sure to bring them indoors before the first frost. These fuzzy-leafed plants are more difficult to propagate than other succulents. It is best to try leaf cuttings or offshoots for propagation.
The panda plant is erect, slow-growing, and can reach up to 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The leaves are pale green, soft, fleshy and covered with a grayish-white fuzz, and the margins have chocolate-brown spots. Panicles of small, tubular, green to yellowish-brown to purple flowers are produced during the summer; however, indoor plants rarely flower.
The panda plant is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. Its unique leaves will attract attention and would make an excellent addition to your indoor succulent collection. It may also be used in warmer climates as border planting, or in a rock garden or succulent garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering can cause root rot. Shriveled or wrinkled leaves may be the result of underwatering. Yellow or mushy leaves or stems can be caused by overwatering. Leggy growth is usually caused by inadequate sunlight, and it may develop leaf burn if placed in full hot sun.
This plant is poisonous if ingested. Keep the panda plant out of the reach of small children and pets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Chocolate Soldier'
faster growing, clumping habit, leaves are thinner, longer, and edges are reddish-brown, yellow-green flowers, brown petal tips - 'Cinnamon'
long, oval-shaped russet leaves, densely covered with fuzz, almost black in full sun, blooms golden ginger to maroon - 'Teddy Bear'
round-shaped, chocolate brown leaves, densely covered with fuzz and almost black markings at the tips, blooms golden ginger
- 'Chocolate Soldier'
- 'Chocolate Soldier', 'Cinnamon', 'Teddy Bear'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Chocolate Soldier'
faster growing, clumping habit, leaves are thinner, longer, and edges are reddish-brown, yellow-green flowers, brown petal tips - 'Cinnamon'
long, oval-shaped russet leaves, densely covered with fuzz, almost black in full sun, blooms golden ginger to maroon - 'Teddy Bear'
round-shaped, chocolate brown leaves, densely covered with fuzz and almost black markings at the tips, blooms golden ginger
- 'Chocolate Soldier'
- 'Chocolate Soldier', 'Cinnamon', 'Teddy Bear'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalanchoe
- Species:
- tomentosa
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Central Madagascar
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are narrow panicles of small, tubular flowers that range in color from green to yellow-brown to purple. They grow atop an 18-inch stalk and appear during the summer; however, indoor plants rarely flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves grow in a rosette and are pale green, soft, fleshy, oblong, pointed at the tips, and covered with grayish-white fuzz. The each leaf measures about 3 to 4 inches long and 1-inch wide and the margins are brown-edged and crenulate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are grayish-green and densely covered with white fuzz. The base of the stem is bare and becomes woody with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
