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4.7 out of 5 (152 experiences)


About Panda Plant
Plants in the Kalanchoe genus are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. They range from rubbery green leaves, to leopard print, and some are even fuzzy! The word Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese name for these plants, pronounced Ka-lun-koh-ee in English. Their succulent leaves help store water during droughts, so they'll be just fine if you skip a watering or two (it happens!).
Taxonomy
Kalanchoe tomentosa
Kalanchoe
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales
Also known as
Chocolate Soldier and Cocoon Plant

How to care for Panda Plant

How often to water your Panda Plant

every 12
Panda Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Panda Plant in your home

a window
Panda Plant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Panda Plant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Panda Plant in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Panda Plant

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Panda Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Panda Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Panda Plant thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Panda Plant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Panda Plant is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Panda Plant prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Panda Plant is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
Fertilizer
Panda Plant should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Panda Plant to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Panda Plant is native to Madagascar and Tropical Africa.
Flowers
Panda Plant produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Panda Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Panda Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Panda Plant can be propagated by the leaf method. To propagate:
- Remove a leaf by gently twisting until it pops off.
- To get the leaf to root, you can either:
- Place the leaf in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the leaf directly into well-draining soil
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Panda Plant. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Panda Plant
Panda Plant
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












I love this plant. It is extremely forgiving and easy to grow. I recommend this for beginners and people getting into the succulent community. The really easy to propagate, and grow fast in the right care. I have not found mine to attract Pests. They are an attractive plant with soft fuzzy leaves. And you can find them almost anywhere. They do need Direct light or bright indirect light. A great rewarding plant I recommend for any plant parent.



