Kalanchoe Tomentosa Chocolate Soldier Panda Plant

The Chocolate Soldier Panda Plant is a popular succulent.

Scientific name: Kalanchoe tomentosa
Common names: Chocolate Soldier, Panda Plant, Teddy Bear Plant

Identification

• Thick, fleshy leaves covered with soft silver-white fuzz.
• Dark chocolate-brown edges and spots on the leaf tips.
• Grows in a compact, upright form, typically 20–45 cm (8–18 inches) tall.
• Produces bell-shaped reddish-orange flowers when mature, though flowering indoors is uncommon.

Care Guide

🌞 Light

• Bright indirect light to full sun.
• 4–6 hours of sunlight daily keeps the brown leaf edges vibrant.

💧 Water

• Water only when the soil is completely dry.
• Reduce watering during winter.
• Avoid leaving water on the fuzzy leaves.

🌱 Soil

• Well-draining cactus or succulent mix.
• A pot with drainage holes is essential.

🌡️ Temperature

• Ideal: 18–30°C.
• Protect from frost and temperatures below 10°C.

🌿 Fertilizer

• Feed once every 1–2 months during spring and summer with a diluted succulent fertilizer.

Propagation

• Easily propagated from leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.
• Allow cuttings to dry (callus) for 2–3 days before planting in dry succulent soil.