Light
Give it the brightest spot you have. Outdoors it takes full sun to part shade and appreciates some shade in the afternoon. Indoors, a big, bright window is best, with filtered light if the sun through the glass is strong.
Water
Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out before the next drink. It has excellent drought tolerance, and too much water, which rots the roots, is the usual way to lose one. Water sparingly in winter while growth is slow.
Soil & pots
Use a fast-draining mix, such as a loam-based potting mix with added grit, in a pot with a drainage hole. Outdoors it wants well-drained, sandy soil. As it gets taller, move it to a wide, heavy pot so it doesn't tip over.
Temperature
It likes warmth, around 60–85°F (16–29°C), and copes well with heat. It isn't frost-tolerant and stays outdoors year-round only in zones 11–12. Elsewhere, bring it indoors before nights drop below 50°F (10°C).
Is velvet leaf kalanchoe safe for pets?
Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) as toxic to dogs and cats. Its toxins, bufadienolides, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, an abnormal heart rhythm. NC State Extension adds that the sap can irritate skin.
Propagation
Stem cuttings and offsets both work. Start them in spring or early summer, so they root while the weather is warm.
- Cut a stem tip several inches long, or detach an offset from the base of the plant.
- Let the cut end dry for a few days until it calluses.
- Set it in barely damp, gritty mix in bright, indirect light.
- Water once it resists a gentle tug. That means roots.
Common problems
FAQ
Is Kalanchoe beharensis toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists all kalanchoes as toxic to cats and dogs. Eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, an abnormal heart rhythm, so keep it away from pets that chew plants.
How big does Kalanchoe beharensis get?
Usually 3–5 ft (1–1.5 m) tall and wide in a pot or garden. In ideal conditions outdoors it can reach 12–20 ft (4–6 m). Single leaves can be 5–14 in (13–35 cm) long.
Why are the leaves turning brown?
If they're firm and fuzzy, that's normal. Mature leaves are naturally a rusty brown under their felt-like hairs. Soft, dark patches are different; they point to rot from too much water.
Does Kalanchoe beharensis flower?
Yes, once it's mature. It produces branched clusters of small, urn-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers. Most people grow it for the leaves, though.
Can I grow it outdoors?
All year only in frost-free climates (zones 11–12). Everywhere else, grow it in a container that spends summer outside and winter in a sunny window.
Sources
- Kalanchoe beharensis Drake: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Kalanchoe beharensis: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
- Kalanchoe beharensis (feltbush): RHS Plants
- Kalanchoe: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Kalanchoe: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
- Succulent Sales: UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County