Kalanchoe beharensis

RHS Plant Profile

feltbush

RHS 2002

Other common names

velvet elephant ear, velvetleaf

Synonyms

Kalanchoe 'Maltese Cross'

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A bushy, succulent, evergreen perennial with long-stalked, triangular leaves which are concave and brown on the upper side, greyish-hairy beneath. Small urn-shaped greenish-yellow flowers 6mm in length are borne in panicles in late winter

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Kalanchoe can be annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs or trees, with succulent, simple or pinnately lobed foliage and tubular or bell-shaped flowers with four lobes
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Madagascar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit in bright filtered light. Water moderately when in growth, sparingly when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season

Propagation

Propagate by seed or offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free