Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Kalanchoe tomentosa is a species of Kalanchoe plant that belongs to the Kalanchoe genus. It grows in dry and shady places on the Hawaiian islands, as well as throughout Southeast Asia. The Kalanchoë tomentosa has been used for centuries by Chinese medicine practitioners as an herbal remedy for various ailments including inflammation, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis.
The Kalanchoe tomentosa is a type of Hawaiian plant that has fuzzy leaves and white flowers. These plants are typically found in the Kalihi Valley on Oahu island but can be seen in other areas as well. They are one of the most popular Kalanchoe species because they have an interesting look and are fairly easy to maintain.
The plant, like many other Kalanchoes, are succulent plants that have thick stems and fleshy leaves. They can grow up to 2 feet tall with a width of 3-4 inches wide. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and like soil that is well-drained but not too dry.
Origin and description
Kalanchoe tomentosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to Madagascar. The Latin specific epithet “tomentosa” means “covered with matted woolly hairs” (also found in “Kalanchoe beharensis“).
Kalanchoe tomentosa, also called the “Pikake” or “Jasmine Pua” in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, endemic to tropical Africa. It was first described by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin as Aeonium tomentosum in 1794. However, recent genetic evidence suggests that the African species of kalanchoe are actually members of a separate genus (Ceropegia), and should be treated as such. As a result, Ceropegia tomentosa is now considered synonymous with Kalanchoe tomentosa.
The plant gets its common name from its thick grey-green woolly leaves which are densely packed around the stem. The plant has succulent, round green stems and grows to about 30–90 cm tall with pink flowers in winter (May through August)
Kalanchoe tomentosa propagation
Propagating Kalanchoe tomentosa is easy. Cuttings root easily in moist potting mix, and leaves will quickly take root as well!
The first step in propagating this beautiful succulent is getting the cutting started. Succulents are amazing plants that root quickly, but they need the right conditions.
Before you get started, it’s important to know what kind of plant you are propagating so that you can provide proper care for your new little friend! Kalanchoe tomentosa is one of those plants that needs a bit more TLC. The easiest way to do this? Start with great-looking leaves or cuttings.
It’s best to take the cutting from an adult plant that has recently flowered or is growing new leaves at its base. Take a branch between two nodes, making sure it includes some stem and leaf material with each node. A healthy shoot will have plenty of green photosynthesizing tissue on both sides of the cut.
Cut off the top of the stem just below a node, then cut that section into individual leaves or sections with at least two nodes. Each cutting needs to have some green material as well as healthy roots and stems before planting it in a sand-based soil mix such as a cactus potting medium.
To propagate Kalanchoe tomentosa, simply insert the cuttings into your soil mix and place them in a warm, bright location. The leaves will root quickly and begin to grow new stems within weeks!
Kalanchoe tomentosa propagation is easy because you can use all of its parts for rooting material. If there are no branches or flowers available, simply take sections from the leaves. Leave a little of the stem attached, as it will help support new roots as they grow down into the soil mix!
Make sure to water your plant regularly until you see signs that it has established itself in its new home. After that, reduce watering and let this sun-loving succulent dry out between waterings.
Once the plant has filled out a bit, you may want to consider repotting it into a larger container with cactus potting medium or other well-draining soil mixes. This will help prevent root rot in your new succulent friend!
Kalanchoe tomentosa care
The care is easy and the plant is drought tolerant. It does not like too much water, so make sure it has excellent drainage and infrequent watering; this will help prevent root rot.
Kalanchoe tomentosa’s natural habitat is Madagascar, but they are commonly found in parts of Hawaii as well as California.
Light requirements
Kalanchoe tomentosa grows best in bright light. They can also grow well with medium or low lighting but they will have paler green leaves and fewer flowers.
They should be kept in partial shade. If you want your plant to grow faster, place it directly in the sun for a few hours each day.
However, if you’re growing this plant indoors or at night, then keep it away from direct sunlight so that its leaves don’t become bleached out!
Soil/potting mix
Kalanchoe tomentosa does best in a well-draining potting mix. They should be repotted every year or two, as they outgrow their pots quickly.
Fertilizer
When growing kalanchoe tomentosa in the home, they should only be fertilized lightly about once a month. Over-fertilizing can cause leaf burn and even death of the plant.
Watering
The plant should be watered about once or twice per week. If they are in a humid environment, it may only take one watering every two weeks.
Temperature
Kalanchoe tomentosa does best in average room temperatures of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold, as this can cause leaf burn and other damage.
We recommend growing Kalanchoe tomentosa in temperatures between 50°F and 100°F during the day, and 40°F and 70°F at night.
Humidity
Kalanchoe tomentosa is not very picky about humidity requirements. However, it will grow best if the humidity stays between 30-70% at all times. This means that you can keep your plant in a bathroom or kitchen as long as they are away from direct water sources like showers and sinks!
If you’re growing your plant in a greenhouse or outdoors, you should consider moving it into the shade during hot months and then back out into direct sunlight as summer turns to fall.
Kalanchoe tomentosa does not need very high humidity levels but we do recommend keeping them away from any standing water such as puddles on your patio or sidewalks!
Pruning
The plant can have an awkward growth habit and may need regular pruning. They should be trimmed back after flowering (if they are in bloom). They may also have long, leggy stems that do not flower. These should be cut back when they are about a quarter of the original size to encourage branching and bushiness.
When to repot
Kalanchoe tomentosa should be repotted every year or two, as they tend to grow quickly and outgrow their pots.
Dormancy
This panda plant succulent will go dormant and drop their leaves if the temperature or humidity is not right for them. Ensure that you give your plants a little bit of water while they are going into dormancy, but no fertilizer. They should stay fully dry during this period.
If it’s too cold in your house to sustain these conditions, then you should either dig up your plant and store it over the winter or bring it to a friend with a greenhouse. If this is not an option for you, put it in its own pot so that any water spilling won’t affect other plants nearby.
Kalanchoe tomentosa flower & fragrance
Kalanchoe tomentosa is often grown for its flowers. It’s low-maintenance and has a very pretty pink flower with white tips on the ends of the petals. The leaves are fuzzy, which makes them really unique in comparison to other kalanchoes that only have hairless green leaves.
They also produce a very sweet, musky fragrance that perfumes the area it’s kept in. This is not a common characteristic for kalanchoes and makes Kalanchoe tomentosa even more unique.
This plant has many other names depending on where you are growing it; fluffy panda, pink snowball, or tree moss.
Growth rate
Kalanchoe tomentosa is a slow-growing plant. It has many leaves that are clustered together on the stem, giving it an overall smaller appearance than other kalanchoes. If you’re looking for something with larger leaves or more flowers, this might not be your best option.
However, Kalanchoe tomentosa does have its unique, fuzzy leaves that are not found in other kalanchoes. This plant is also very slow-growing so it’s unlikely to overtake your home or office space if you have bad luck with plants growing too quickly!
Toxicity
Kalanchoe tomentosa is not poisonous, but it may cause some discomfort if you happen to ingest any of the plants. This species has been reported as causing vomiting and diarrhea when ingested by pets such as cats or dogs. For this reason, we highly recommend keeping Kalanchoe tomentosa away from your furry friends!
In rare cases, it has been known to cause skin irritation. If you’re growing this plant and experience any discomfort or pain after touching the leaves, we recommend removing yourself from contact with it immediately.
You should also seek medical attention if your symptoms persist for more than a few days or become severe.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Kalanchoe tomentosa is native to Africa and can be found growing in Madagascar, Mauritius, La Réunion, Seychelles Islands, Mayotte Island, and so on.
This plant will grow best if it’s kept between 50°F and 100°F during the day and 40°F and 70° F at night. If you live in a warm climate, it will be perfect for growing outdoors year-round.
However, if you live somewhere cooler, this plant can still thrive as long as your house or greenhouse stays above 40°F at night. It cannot survive freezing temperatures so it’s best to keep the plant indoors during the winter months and outside during summer!
Pests and diseases
Kalanchoe tomentosa is not usually affected by pests or diseases. However, they can be susceptible to root rot if you’re growing your plant in high humidity with lots of water around the roots.
Make sure that this species has good drainage and airflow at all times so that it does not fall prey to any fungi or bacteria!
Conclusion
Kalanchoe tomentosa is a very unique plant that’s great for people with little gardening experience. It requires minimal care and attention but has lots of interesting features, such as its fuzzy leaves!
It can be grown outdoors in warm climates or indoors if it gets cold during the winter season. If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, you should definitely consider Kalanchoe tomentosa!
