Half cat, half plant: an ode to Kalanchoe tomentosa aka «kitten ears»
Ever heard of Kalanchoe tomentosa? If not, it’s about time you got familiar. It’s probably the cuddliest houseplant you’ll ever encounter.
It was love at first touch. Stroking the two furry «ears» poking out of a pot at the florist round the corner, it was immediately clear: I had to adopt the Kalanchoe tomentosa. Here’s why:
1. Irresistible feel
I can’t think of a succulent more velvety to the touch than the Kalanchoe tomentosa. This is no surprise when you consider it’s also known as «kitten ears» or «the panda plant». Stroking the fine fur on its oval-shaped leaves creates a pleasant tingling sensation on your fingers. It reminds me of the kitschy, cute toy animals made by Sylvanian Families.
If you’re not big on stroking plants, you might be interested to learn that Swiss scientists have discovered it strengthens the plant’s immune system and leads to more compact growth (article in German). So give it a try. With the kitten ears, it won’t be the last time.
Source: Darina Schweizer
2. Easy care
Another plus is that kitten ears hardly require any care. You barely need to water them in winter. Like any succulent, they store water in their leaves. The rest of the year, they only need water when the soil goes completely dry. But watch out – just like a real cat, this feline-like plant hates sitting around in water. With this in mind, make sure you avoid waterlogging it.
3. Attractiveness
Another way kitten ears score brownie points with me is with the dark brown dots on the edges of their grey-green leaves. No other succulent can hold a candle to it. Not even my favourite, Crassula Marnieriana.
Source: Darina Schweizer
4. Simple propagation
Once you’ve succumbed to the charms of Kalanchoe tomentosa, you’ll be longing for baby kittens. Propagating the plant is super easy:
- Cut off one or more leaves straight from the main shoot or take off an entire side shoot.
- Leave it to air dry for a few days.
- Plant the cutting with the cut edge facing downwards in a well-drained substrate. To boost humidity and speed up growth, you can stretch a plastic bag over the pot.
- Place it somewhere warm and bright, and wait 10-12 weeks. At this point, the roots should start to grow.
Have I convinced you yet? If so, I hope you enjoy lots of cuddles with your kitten ears. We carry a relative of Kalanchoe tomentosa, the Kalanchoe beharensis, in our range:
Or for those who can’t be bothered to water plants even once, there’s an artificial variety modelled on Kalanchoe tomentosa:
What’s your favourite plant and why? Let me know in the comments.
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Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?
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