Kalanchoe tomentosa

RHS Plant Profile
panda plant

Other common names

pussy ears

Award of Garden Merit
Houseplants Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

An erect evergreen perennial to 1m in height, with thickly fleshy leaves to 9cm in length, silvery hairy, margined and tipped with brown. Tubular yellow-green flowers 1cm in length are borne in panicles from early spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B

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 under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with additional sharp sand or grit in full light with good ventilation. Water moderately throughout the year but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildews and a rust may be a problem