Panda Plant, a resilient succulent, gives interior houseplant collections a striking touch. Kalanchoe panda plants are a great addition to any child’s room because they are frequently a kid’s favourite.
Kalanchoe tomentosum, sometimes known as panache, is one of the several varieties of Kalanchoe that may be grown indoors. We’ll guide you through every aspect of taking care of panda plants, including how to multiply them and keep their fuzzy leaves healthy.
Panda Plant Overview
| Common Name | Chocolate soldier plant |
| Botanical Name | Kalanchoe tomentosa |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 2.5 ft. tall |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Colour | Red |
| Hardiness Zone | 9a-11b (USDA) |
Panda Plant Care
Chocolate soldier plants are native to Madagascar and are succulents in the Crassulaceae family. They grow vertically. These are easy-to-maintain succulents that require six hours or more of sunlight a day to flourish.
Although they don’t often bloom inside, chocolate soldier plants make great houseplants. You can leave them outside in the summer if you reside outside of USDA garden zones 9 through 11, but you’ll need to bring them inside when the fall weather turns chilly.
Soil
Chocolate soldier plants, like most other succulents, require soil that drains well. Chocolate soldier plants do well in a soil mix designed for cacti or succulents. Most nurseries and garden centers carry it. In between watering, let the soil dry out.
Light
Chocolate soldier plants do well under bright, indirect light. Kalanchoe tomentosa is prone to leaf burn and despises direct sunlight. If you see that your chocolate soldier plant is getting skinny, you should move it to a sunnier spot.
Water
Chocolate soldier plants withstand droughts fairly well, much like most succulents. When the plant is dormant in the late summer, make sure the soil dries completely out in between watering.
If planted outside, chocolate soldier plants might need to be watered more frequently, planted outside, chocolate soldier plants might need to be watered more frequently. If you water these plants by running water over the leaves rather than at the base of the plant, it can lead to rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Because they like dry conditions, chocolate soldier plants don’t require much humidity. The normal humidity levels found in a home are ideal for these succulents.
Chocolate soldier succulents can withstand more heat than many other types of succulents, though. The normal humidity levels found in a home are ideal for these succulents. Remember this when deciding where to put your plant.
Remember that chocolate soldier succulents are not resistant to cold temperatures either. When the first hint of frost appears, make sure you bring your plant inside if you decide to leave it outside for the summer.
Fertilizer
Panda plants are capable of flourishing without the use of fertilizers. Because they are accustomed to low-nutrition soils in their natural habitats, they don’t mind receiving fewer nutrients than some other houseplants. However, if you want them to reach their maximum potential, it won’t hurt to give them a little extra encouragement now and then.
To provide minimal but constant nutrients, fertilize every season at half-strength in the spring and summer. To prevent overfeeding the roots, use a fertilizer with a low concentration. Choose a balanced blend or a fertilizer designed especially for succulents.
Propagation
You’re in luck if you’re looking to add more fuzzy plants to your collection. Both stem cuttings and leaf cuttings are very simple methods of propagation.
These plants establish roots more slowly than others, but both techniques are straightforward. Because they like dry conditions, chocolate soldier plants don’t require much humidity.
Propagating From Single Leaves
Propagating from single leaves is a good option if your panda plant is too small to handle stem cuttings or if you have a few spare leaves that you’ve chopped off but don’t want to throw away. Although it takes longer to see results, this simple method lets you propagate a lot more panda plants at once.
Everything you need to grow from stem cuttings is available, with one small exception. Beyond these prerequisites, all you need to get going is a steady hand. Twisting off a single leaf is one way to remove it without using a knife.
After carefully pressing the ends of the leaves into the dirt, set the tray or container with the succulent mix on top of it. Similar to stem cuttings, you should avoid rot by waiting a few days before watering to give the ends time to mend.
If you are going to water the soil, sprinkle it lightly instead of soaking it. Continue spraying the plant for a few weeks after new growth appears at the base of the leaves. After the roots become well-established, move them into separate containers so they may keep growing.
Propagating From Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are the most efficient propagation material, resulting in quick results. Compared to propagating from single leaves, this approach will produce a mature plant more quickly, but it does require a rather large panda plant to begin with. When a plant has spread out, I also like to use this method to maintain compact leaf growth by cutting off the tips and planting again.
Start by locating a robust stem that has an abundance of healthy leaves. Damaged or infected stems will just spread the infection to your fresh plants instead of allowing them to take root. To encourage rapid recovery, cut off a portion of the stem right below a set of leaves, making sure to cut cleanly.
Before planting, it is advisable to let the cuttings sit for a few days to heal. When it’s time to plant, fill the pot with the soil mixture and make a small hole with your finger to hold the stem’s lower end underground.
Water with caution, providing just enough moisture to encourage root development without causing stem rot. It should be possible for the stem to become deeply rooted in the ground within a few weeks. That leaves you to do nothing except wait for fresh, cute growth to emerge.
Potting and Repotting Chocolate Soldier
Chocolate soldier plants only require occasional repotting because of their comparatively modest growth—roughly every three years. It is advisable to repot your chocolate soldier plant during the active growing season when it will be more resilient to disruptions.
Chocolate soldier plants don’t care where they are potted; therefore, they grow well in practically any kind of plant. But remember that a pot with a drainage hole will lessen the chance of overwatering. Furthermore, because they help absorb excess water from the soil, succulents like the chocolate soldier plant thrive in terracotta pots.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Chocolate Soldier is generally a hardy plant with few problems. If mealybugs are present, you can treat the plant by placing a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol, touching each mealybug separately, and then gently massaging the swab over the entire insect. Mealybugs won’t endanger the plant when using this method of removal.
If you overwater your chocolate soldier, you run the risk of root rot, which is brought on by fungus that grows in the roots of the plant. When a plant becomes too bad to salvage, take it out of its container, trim off any burned or rotting roots, and repot it in new soil. This will usually save the plant.
Common Problems with Chocolate Soldier
If you give your chocolate soldier the correct care, it should not have too many problems. Still, there are a few potential problems. The items on this list are what you should look for.
Leggy Growth
If your chocolate soldier doesn’t get enough light, it may grow “leggy,” that is, tall and spindly but without many leaves. Move your plant to a more sheltered location where it will receive several hours of indirect sunlight each day.
Although it is not a low-light houseplant, a chocolate soldier cannot withstand extreme heat or direct sunlight.
Leaves Falling Off
A problem with irrigation is typically the cause of abnormal leaf loss. Underwatering is most likely the culprit if leaves fall and are brown and dry. To allow the soil to dry out in between treatments without being fully dry, you should water it more often.
Overwatering is the most frequent cause of the mushy or yellow falling leaves. Although this is a more difficult issue to fix, if the plant hasn’t died too much, you might be able to revive it by watering it less frequently and letting the soil dry out in between treatments.
Leaves are Wrinkled
A chocolate soldier succulent usually has thick, luxuriant foliage. If the leaves on your plant start to wrinkle or shrivel, it’s probably not getting enough water. To prevent the plant from going too long without water, water it more frequently.
Conclusion
The next step is to welcome panda plants into your home now that you have all the information you need to bring them to your landscape. This unique Kalanchoe cultivar will reward you with stunning leaves and be a very low-maintenance houseplant for many years to come!
FAQ
What’s causing my panda plant to drop?
If you notice that your panda plant is suddenly drooping more than usual, check your watering routine. Either too little or too much watering may be the problem.
Are flowers produced by panda plants?
Panda plants do flower in their natural habitats, though not very often indoors. To get them to flower, give them lots of light and an extra dose of nutrients.
Are panda plants toxic?
Kalanchoe tomentosa is harmful to animals; therefore, keep it away from any curious pets with feathers or fur.