Light
Give it bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day. A little direct sun indoors is fine, but in very hot climates shade it from the strongest sun or the leaves can burn. In too little light the stems stretch and the leaves spread apart.
Water
Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely before the next drink. The thick, furry leaves store plenty of water, so it copes with being forgotten far better than with being fussed over. Wrinkled leaves mean it's thirsty; soft, collapsing ones on wet soil mean the roots are rotting.
Soil & pots
A fast-draining cactus or succulent mix in a pot with a drainage hole. It grows slowly, so it won't need a bigger pot very often.
Temperature
It does best at 60–75°F (16–24°C) and prefers dry air, so ordinary rooms suit it well. It can spend summer outdoors, but bring it in before the first frost.
Is panda plant safe for pets?
Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) as toxic to dogs and cats, and NC State Extension lists panda plant as poisonous if eaten. Watch out if you check the ASPCA list yourself, because its entry called "Panda Plant" is a philodendron (Philodendron bipennifolium), a different plant altogether.
Propagation
Panda plant is harder to propagate than most succulents, but single leaves, stem cuttings and offshoots all work. Try in spring or summer, while it's growing.
- Twist off a healthy leaf cleanly at the stem, or cut a stem tip a few inches long.
- Leave it a few days so the cut end dries and calluses.
- Lay leaves on, or push stems into, barely damp cactus mix in bright, indirect light.
- Water lightly once roots or a tiny new plant appear. Expect weeks, not days.
Common problems
FAQ
Is panda plant toxic to cats?
Yes. Kalanchoes are listed as toxic to cats and dogs, and eating one can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, an abnormal heart rhythm. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
Does panda plant flower?
Rarely indoors. Outdoors it can produce small, tubular flowers in summer, in shades of green, yellow-brown or purple. It's grown for the fuzzy leaves, not the flowers.
Are there different kinds of panda plant?
Yes. 'Chocolate Soldier' is faster-growing and clumping, with longer, thinner leaves edged reddish-brown. 'Cinnamon' has russet leaves that look nearly black in full sun, and 'Teddy Bear' has rounder, chocolate-brown leaves with dark tips.
Why is my panda plant leggy?
It's not getting enough light. Move it somewhere brighter. You can cut back the stretched stems and use the tips as cuttings.
Can panda plant grow outside?
Year-round only in zones 9–11. Everywhere else it makes a good summer patio plant, as long as it comes in before frost.