Kalanchoe Tomentosa Chocolate

Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’ | Velvety Panda Plant with Brown-Edged Leaves

Add some soft texture and warm colour to your indoor plant collection with Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’. Commonly known as a Panda Plant, this popular succulent is recognised for its fuzzy, silvery-green leaves and dark brown markings along the edges.

Originally from Madagascar, it is well suited to container growing and makes a lovely choice for bright windowsills, shelves, desks, and succulent arrangements. Its slow growth and low water requirements also make it easy to look after.

Soft Foliage with Chocolate-Coloured Edges

The main attraction of ‘Chocolate Soldier’ is its unusual foliage.

The thick leaves are covered with fine hairs that give them a soft, almost furry appearance. Brown markings develop around the leaf margins, creating a strong contrast against the pale green and silver foliage.

Its compact growth habit makes it especially useful where space is limited.

Plant Highlights

• Velvety, silver-green foliage
• Dark brown markings around the leaf edges
• Compact and slow-growing
• Drought-tolerant
• Well suited to container growing
• Suitable for bright indoor areas
• A popular choice for succulent collectors

Caring for Your Panda Plant

Find a Bright Spot

Give Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’ plenty of bright light.

A sunny windowsill or bright indoor position works well. Gentle morning sun is beneficial, while very strong afternoon sun during hot Australian summers may need to be filtered.

Good light also helps the plant maintain a compact shape.

Keep Watering to a Minimum

Like most succulents, this Kalanchoe stores water in its leaves.

Allow the potting mix to dry completely before watering. When the soil is dry, water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain away.

Avoid leaving the plant sitting in water. Overwatering is one of the most common problems with this type of succulent.

Use Fast-Draining Soil

A quality cactus and succulent mix is ideal.

Choose a pot with drainage holes and avoid heavy soil that stays wet for long periods.

Warm Conditions Are Best

‘Chocolate Soldier’ prefers warm conditions and should be protected from frost.

For Australian growers, it can be grown outdoors in suitable warm areas, while gardeners in colder regions may prefer to keep it indoors or move it into a protected position during winter.

A Versatile Little Succulent

Its small size and unusual texture make this plant easy to use in different settings.

Try it in:

• Indoor pots
• Sunny windowsills
• Desk displays
• Succulent arrangements
• Patio containers
• Rockeries
• Collector displays

The silvery foliage also contrasts beautifully with darker green or brightly coloured succulents.

Quick Care Reference

Plant & Shipping Information

The Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’ supplied comes in an 80mm diameter red pot.

The first two photographs are for display purposes only. The images provide a representative example of the plant you will receive. Natural differences in size, shape, colour, and growth are expected because every succulent develops differently.

Please note  — NT, TAS, WA customers: please contact us before placing your order due to additional quarantine charges associated with these locations.
View Shipping options