Panda Plant Care Guide

Care overview

Velvety leaves are naturally fuzzy. Avoid overwatering and prolonged dampness on foliage.

Light

Bright light to direct sun

Watering

Allow soil to dry out completely between watering

Humidity

Low humidity preferred

Temperature

16–30°C

Feeding and fertiliser

Feed lightly every 6–8 weeks during spring and summer with a dilute cactus or succulent fertiliser. Do not feed unrooted propagations.

Potting mix

40% horticultural grit, 30% perlite, 20% cactus/succulent compost, 10% orchid bark

Propagation

Stem or leaf cuttings

Support

Forms upright shrubby stems naturally with age.

Mature size

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

Semi-hydro suitability

Suitability depends on the plant, root condition and the chosen semi-hydro system.

Dormancy and winter growth

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

About this plant

Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is held in the Snip & Sprout permanent collection and propagated in small batches when suitable parent growth is available.

Mealybugs

Likely cause

Mealybugs may hide in leaf joints, stems, crevices and around the root zone.

What to do

Inspect regularly, isolate affected plants and identify whether the infestation is above or below the growing medium before treating.

Root or stem rot

Likely cause

Prolonged wet conditions, poor drainage and low root-zone oxygen can damage roots and favour root-rotting organisms.

What to do

Use a suitably free-draining medium, provide adequate light and allow the medium to dry to the degree appropriate for the species before watering again.

Stretched growth

Likely cause

Weak, elongated growth is commonly associated with insufficient light.

What to do

Increase light gradually to a level suitable for the species. Existing stretched growth will not become compact again.

Does Panda Plant go dormant in winter?

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

How large can Panda Plant grow indoors?

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

What is the most important care point for Panda Plant?

Velvety leaves are naturally fuzzy. Avoid overwatering and prolonged dampness on foliage.