I study landscape ecology and through my studies have discovered a love for plants. Plants are not only beautiful, but also have countless fascinating survival strategies. To bring a bit of nature into my home as well, I nurture my houseplants and herbs on every possible windowsill. Favourite fruit: rhubarb and all kinds of berries Favourite vegetables: onions and garlic
The Kalanchoe tomentosa succulent, perhaps more commonly known as the panda plant, is a real eye-catcher. Find everything you need to know about how to plant and care for these low maintenance beauties here.
The panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is perfect for plant beginners as it requires very little maintenance. Even if you forget to water it, the Kalanchoe tomentosa can actually survive on the water stored in its leaves. Here you will find some of the most beautiful varieties and a guide to choosing the perfect location for your plant.
The adorable panda plant, also known as kalachoe tomentosa or pussy ears, is a fun and easy houseplant to propagate. With its fuzzy, velvety leaves and cute appearance, the panda plant makes an excellent gift or décor piece when multiplied.
Propagating panda plants is quite simple, but does require patience and proper technique. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to successfully propagate panda plant cuttings, from start to finish
Why Propagate Panda Plants
There are several great reasons to make more panda plants
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Get free plants – Buying panda plants can get expensive. Propagating your own is practically free.
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Share with friends – Panda plants make fantastic gifts! Propagate them to share.
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Replace old plants – As pandas age, lower leaves fall off, leaving leggy stems. Propagating lets you start fresh plants.
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Make a collection – Propagating pandas with different leaf patterns lets you create a panda family.
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Preserve special plants – Clone pandas with sentimental value to pass down through generations.
When to Propagate
Timing is important for propagation success. Aim to propagate panda plants:
- When daytime temps are 65-80°F (18-27°C)
- During active growth, not dormancy
- When plant looks healthy, not stressed
- In early spring as growth resumes after winter rest
Avoid fall and winter, when light and temps drop. Cool weather slows growth and rooting.
How to Propagate Panda Plants from Leaves
Propagating from leaf cuttings is the easiest panda plant propagation method. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Cut a Leaf
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Select a healthy, mature leaf near the center of the plant. Small, young leaves won’t root well.
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Avoid old, damaged leaves.
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Cut the leaf at the stem using a sharp, sterile knife or pruners.
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Try to retain some stem tissue to aid rooting.
Step 2: Let the Cutting Callus
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After cutting, lay the leaf in a dry, shady spot for 2-3 days. This allows the cut to callus over and dry out.
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The callus protects against rot-causing bacteria. Don’t skip this step!
Step 3: Prepare a Pot
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Choose a small pot with drainage holes and fresh potting mix, like cactus mix.
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Moisten the soil. It should be damp but not soggy.
Step 4: Plant the Cutting
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Gently place the leaf in a hole in the soil, callused-end down. Lightly firm the soil.
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If needed, prop the leaf upright with a small rock. Avoid crushing the delicate leaf.
Step 5: Wait for Roots
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Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet.
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Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can burn.
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In 4-6 weeks, tiny roots will emerge from the base.
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When well-rooted, transplant into a regular pot with fresh soil.
And you’ll have a brand new panda plant baby! Proper care will help it establish and start producing little paws quickly.
Tips for Panda Plant Propagation Success
Follow these tips to ensure your panda plant leaf cuttings root fast and grow strongly:
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Sterilize tools to prevent bacteria.
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Allow leaves to fully callus before planting.
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Use fast-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. Avoid regular potting soil.
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Select a small pot with drainage holes. Terra cotta pots work well.
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Maintain high humidity around cuttings. Place pots in a plastic bag or use a humidifier.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun until established.
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Keep soil moist but not saturated. Allow to slightly dry between waterings.
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Have patience! Rooting takes 4-6 weeks. Avoid disturbing cuttings.
With proper care and patience, you’ll have adorable baby panda plants in no time.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Sometimes panda plant propagation fails. If your cuttings shrivel, rot, or don’t root, try these troubleshooting tips:
Leaf shrivels: The leaf lost too much moisture before callusing. Next time, place the cut leaf on damp paper towels until callused.
Leaf rots: Sterilize tools to prevent bacteria. Allow more callusing time. Ensure soil isn’t too wet.
Leaf falls over: Insert a chopstick or small rock to prop it up. Avoid crushing the delicate leaf.
No roots after 6 weeks: Extend rooting time to 8-10 weeks. Ensure bright, indirect light and warm temps.
Roots stop after transplant: Allow more time to establish roots before repotting. Or transplant into a smaller starter pot first.
With good care and patience, you can master propagating panda plants. Troubleshooting gives you a chance to refine your technique.
Next Steps After Propagating Pandas
Once your panda plant cutting is well-rooted and actively growing, follow these next steps:
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Transplant into a 4-6 inch pot with drainage holes using fresh cactus/succulent soil mix. Size up only slightly bigger than the root ball.
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Gradually introduce to more direct sun. Once established, pandas enjoy 4-6 hours of sun. Introduce slowly to prevent sunburn.
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Resume regular watering and fertilizing. Water when soil dries out. Fertilize monthly in spring/summer with balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune off the original propagated leaf once the new plant is growing strongly. Use sterile pruners to avoid damaging new growth.
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Share your homegrown panda plant! Panda plants make fantastic gifts for family, friends, co-workers, and more.
Enjoy your brand new panda plant babies! Now that you’re a propagation pro, you’ll never need to buy pandas again.
Follow these simple steps for perfect panda plant leaf cuttings. With a little luck and proper care, those leaves will quickly grow into a delightful flock of adorable fuzzy pandas.
Kalanchoe tomentosa: origin and characteristics
Kalanchoe tomentosa succulents belong to the Crassulaceae family. The term “tomentosus” comes from Latin meaning “felt-like” and the plant is often referred to as panda plant, cat ears, pussy ears or even donkey ears on account of its velvety soft, almost furry leaves. The water-storing leaves are fleshy, white-felted and pointed-oval in shape, usually arranged in a rosette. They are grey green in colour with red or brown, dotted edges.
Panda plants are native to Madagascar, where they usually grow up to a metre tall on rocky ground. As a houseplant, you can expect your panda succulent to stop growing closer to 50cm. Kalanchoe tomentosa rarely flowers when grown indoors; however, in its native environment, the plant produces delightful bell-shaped flowers in green, purple or yellow that bloom between March and June.
Note: All members of the Kalanchoe genus are poisonous!
How to plant Kalanchoe tomentosa
Plant your panda succulent in spring at the beginning of the growing season. Place your plant in a bright spot indoors where you can maintain a cosy 23°C. This warm temperature can be maintained throughout the winter too, as long as the succulent gets enough light. However, it is also possible to overwinter the plant at around 15°C. Use a plant pot with a hole in the bottom to ensure good drainage and plant into cactus or succulent compost. Cactus soil is not too rich in nutrients and is highly permeable, providing good aeration of the roots. All these properties will promote healthy growth for your Kalanchoe tomentosa.
Kalanchoe Tomentosa Propagation
FAQ
Are panda plants easy to propagate?
Additionally, propagating panda succulents is relatively easy, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The resulting harvest can also create beautiful arrangements or be shared with friends and family. Panda plants are a fantastic addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection.
How to propagate ficus panda?
To propagate by stem cutting, identify a 6-inch leafed sprig with at least 3 nodes and make a cut about an inch below the third node. After clipping the sprig, dip it into rooting hormone and insert it into a rooting medium or damp soil. Wait 4 to 6 weeks until roots form.
How to propagate a fuzzy succulent?
“The lower leaves on the cuttings must be removed so they can be inserted into the soil, while the leafless stems can be planted directly in a cactus-specific or a porous soil medium.” Ensure you keep the cuttings moist but not too soggy. New growth should start to appear within a few weeks.
How do you cut a panda plant?
Propagating Kalanchoe tomentosa
The best way to propagate the panda plant is to take cuttings during the growing period. To do this, cut off one or more leaves straight from the main shoot using a sharp knife. Once cut, leave to air dry until a callus has formed – this can take a few days.