If you have actually ever looked for succulents, you have most likely seen a chocolate soldier plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa). Chocolate soldier plants, likewise frequently called panda plant, are very popular houseplants due to the fact that they are so easy to care for, in addition to appealing and rather charming.
They are sold at a lot of nurseries, garden centers, and plant shops. It’s simple to identify chocolate soldier; just look for the succulent with pale-green leaves covered with grayish-white fuzz and rimmed with chocolate brown areas.
Chocolate soldier plants come in lots of sizes, from small to almost two feet high.
Thankfully, slow-growing chocolate soldier succulents are not vulnerable to any severe bugs or illness, beyond periodic mealybugs or spider termites. These small, sturdy succulents will flourish year-round planted in pots inside your home.
All kalanchoes, consisting of K. tomentosa, are poisonous to felines and pets and slightly toxic to human beings if the leaves are consumed.
Common Names: Chocolate soldier plant, panda plant, pussy ears, velvet leaf kalanchoe, plush plant, teddy bear cactus, cocoon plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe tomentosa
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant Type: Succulent
Mature Size: 2.5 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: Red
Hardiness Zones: 9a-11b (USDA)
Native Area: Africa
Toxicity: Toxic to humans and animals
How To Care For Chocolate Soldier
Chocolate soldier plants thrive indoors as houseplants, although they barely ever bloom when grown indoors. In locations outside USDA garden zones 9 to 11, they can be put outdoors throughout the summer, but will need to be brought inside your home when temperatures begin to drop in the fall.
Light
Chocolate soldier plants appreciate brilliant, indirect light. Kalanchoe tomentosa does refrain from doing well in direct sun and is prone to leaf burn. If you notice that your chocolate soldier plant is getting leggy, nevertheless, move it to a brighter location.
Water
Like most succulents, chocolate soldier plants are relatively drought-resistant. Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings, specifically in the late summer months when the plant is inactive. If kept exterior, chocolate soldier plants may require more regular watering. When watering these plants, make sure to pour the water at the base of the plant, rather than over its leaves, as doing so can result in rot.
Soil
Similar to the majority of succulents, chocolate soldier plants need well-draining soil. A cactus or succulent soil mix is finest for chocolate soldier plants. It can be acquired at most garden centers and nurseries. Enable the soil to dry out totally between waterings.
Temperature and Humidity
No need to fret about humidity when it concerns chocolate soldier plants; they take pleasure in dry conditions. The average household humidity is perfect for these succulents.
However, chocolate soldier succulents are not as heat-tolerant as numerous other succulent types. They might suffer in extreme heat, specifically if they are grown outside in the summer months. When choosing a location for your plant, keep this in mind.
In addition, remember that chocolate soldier succulents are likewise not cold-hardy. Be sure you bring it back inside prior to the very first sign of frost if you do set your plant outdoors for the summer.
Fertilizer
Routine fertilizing is not required for chocolate soldier plants. Nevertheless, fertilizing when at the start of the growing season (spring months) can assist to encourage strong development. A cactus or succulent fertilizer is best.
Kalanchoe Species
The kalanchoe family, of which the chocolate soldier is a member, is a large one with lots of popular varieties grown as houseplants or outdoors in mild-winter locations. Some typical ones consist of:
K. blossfeidiana, often sold simply as kalanchoe. This popular beauty produces masses of flowers in a wide variety of colors.
K. thyrsiflora, in some cases called “Flapjacks,” has big, paddle-shaped leaves.
K. fedtschenkoi “Variegata” has actually scalloped leaves variegated in white, cream, and pink.
How To Propagate Chocolate Solider
Chocolate soldier plants propagate readily, although fuzzy-leafed succulents are notoriously harder to propagate than routine succulents so some trial and error might be needed.
Propagating chocolate soldier plants by leaf separation:
1. Carefully eliminate the fuzzy leaf by twisting it slowly clockwise and counterclockwise till it “pops” off of the stem. Make sure that it is a clean separation, suggesting no part of the leaf is left on the stem.
2. Allow the leaf to establish a callus for a few days, and after that position the apart leaf on a tray filled with potting soil. Set the tray in a place that receives bright, indirect light.
3. Within 2 to 3 weeks, you should notice small roots growing from completion of the separated leaf. Begin carefully watering the brand-new roots every number of days. Ultimately, a little rosette will grow at the end of the leaf.
4. Leave the moms and dad leaf connected to the brand-new plant up until it falls off by itself; it is supplying the brand-new plant with energy and nutrients.
Mature and healthy chocolate soldier plants also easily grow spin-offs, which can be separated and grown as brand-new plants.
Allow the offshoot to grow from the parent for a couple of months up until it has grown on its own roots and is strong enough to endure individually.
Make a clean cut with a set of sharp scissors or pruning shears to separate the spin-off from the parent plant.
Let the cut stem of the spin-off callus over for a day and then plant the new chocolate soldier in succulent potting mix. Do not water up until roots have begun to form, in around two to three weeks.
How To Pot And Repot Chocolate Soldier
Since chocolate soldier plants are relatively slow-growing, they need only to be repotted as necessary– typically, as soon as every three years or so. If you are going to re-pot your chocolate soldier plant, doing so during the active growing season is best as it will be able to tolerate disruptions quicker.
When potted in nearly any planter, chocolate soldier plants are not fussy about their potting containers and can do well. Nevertheless, keep in mind that a pot with a drain hole will assist to prevent overwatering. Succulents like the chocolate soldier plant do well in terracotta pots, as they assist absorb excess water from the soil.
Don’t Let Pests And Diseases Ruin Your Chocolate Soldier Succulent!
As a basic rule, chocolate soldier is a hardy plant without too many issues. They are periodically plagued with mealybugs, which look like little white specks of cotton and are frequently lodged where leaves sign up with the base of the plant.
If you observe mealybugs, you can deal with the plant by dipping a cotton bud in rubbing alcohol and after that touching the swab to each mealybug separately, rubbing somewhat to spread the alcohol over the whole pest. An effective way to get rid of the mealybugs without affecting the plant.
Overwatering your chocolate soldier can lead to root rot, which is triggered by fungal development in the plant’s roots. You’ll usually discover that the plant is dropping leaves, and it may wilt. As the condition gets worse, the plant will end up being mushy and may turn brown or black at the base.
While you can sometimes conserve a plant from root rot by taking it out of its pot, trimming away any rotted, blackened roots, and then repotting in fresh soil. Those have shown decaying root signs, best to be discarded.
How To Take Care Of Chocolate Soldier
As long as your chocolate soldier is correctly cared for, it’s unlikely to have many problems. There are a couple of problems that might pop up. Here’s what to try to find.
Falling Off Leaves
Unusual loss of leaves is typically due to a watering issue. Under-watering is the likely problem if the falling leaves are brown and dry. Increase your watering schedule so that the soil goes dry in between waterings, but isn’t left bone-dry for too long.
Overwatering is the most likely concern if the falling leaves are mushy or yellow. This is a harder problem to deal with, however if the plant isn’t too far gone, cutting down on your watering schedule and allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings might bring your plant back to good health.
Wrinkled Leaves
Generally, the leaves of a chocolate soldier succulent are plump and rather company. Need to your plant’s leaves end up being old and wrinkly or shriveled, it is most likely not getting enough water. Increase your watering schedule so the plant does not remain dry for too long.
Stretched Growth
If your chocolate soldier does not get sufficient light, it may become “leggy” or stretched, meaning that it grows tall and spindly, but without a great deal of leaves. Move your plant to a better area where it will receive numerous hours of indirect sunshine each day. While it can not endure intense heat or direct sunshine, chocolate soldier is not a low-light houseplant.
