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Botanical name: Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’
A pretty addition to indoor containers or hanging baskets; gray-green leaves with brown and red spots are covered with whitish, waxy hairs that give the plant a fuzzy look; tiny golden flowers in late winter and early spring; an easy to grow houseplant.
Other names: Teddy Bear Cactus, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe
| Hardiness zone | 9a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | gold |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | mounded |
| Mature height | 8 inches (12 inches with the flowers) |
| Spread | 12 inches |
| Light requirements | partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Chocolate Soldier Panda Plant is covered in stunning clusters of gold trumpet-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late winter to early spring. Its attractive tomentose round leaves remain dark green in color with distinctive dark brown spots and tinges of red throughout the year.
This is an herbaceous evergreen houseplant with a mounded form. This plant may benefit from an occasional pruning to look its best.
When grown indoors, Chocolate Soldier Panda Plant can be expected to grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This houseplant should be situated in a location that that gets indirect sunlight at most, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist soil, and should do just fine under average home conditions. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.
There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.
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