Panda plant guide
Kalanchoe tomentosa, also called pussy ears, chocolate soldier, Kalanchoe tomentosa
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright direct
- Water
- When the soil is dry all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 13 to 27°C (55 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly while growing, none while in bloom
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Kalanchoes can cause vomiting and, in rare cases, heart problems.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall indoors
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings, dried and set in cactus mix
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes panda plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the kalanchoe care guide.
What it is
Panda plant is a fuzzy succulent. Its thick, oval leaves are covered in soft, silver-white hairs. The leaf tips are edged in rusty brown spots, like a panda’s ears. Select-A-Plant lists its foliage as silver and green. It seldom blooms indoors.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Panda plant | Thick, fuzzy, silver, brown tips | Soft fuzz and brown-spotted tips |
| Kalanchoe (flowering) | Glossy, scalloped, green | Smooth leaves and bright flowers |
| Mother of thousands | Long, toothed, baby plants on edges | Tiny plantlets along the edges |
Care differences
It is grown for its leaves, not flowers. Water when the soil is dry all the way down. Do not mist or wet the fuzzy leaves.
Bright light keeps it compact. It handles a bit less sun than the flowering kalanchoe.
Grow it from a cutting
Snap off a leaf or stem tip. Let it dry for a few days. Set it on dry cactus mix. Roots form in two to four weeks.
Pet safety
The ASPCA lists kalanchoe as toxic to cats and dogs.
Buying it
Panda plant is common at garden centers. Look for firm, fuzzy leaves. Soft or wrinkled leaves point to rot or thirst.