If you’ve ever bought a succulent plant, chances are you’ve seen a chocolate soldier plant. Are you a succulent lover? If yes, then you should go for it as Chocolate soldiers are very popular houseplants because they are easy to care for. Sold at most nurseries, garden centers, and plant stores, they’re easy to identify because the slow-growing, hairy Kalanchoe features blue-green, flaky leaves with dark red or chocolate brown edges.Let’s know more about this plant and also understand the growth and care tips for this plant just like Ripple Jade.
Key takeaways:
- Chocolate Soldier plants come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to nearly 2.5 feet tall.
- The other common names such as panda plant, white lady, velvet kalanchoe, or plush plant.
- Slow-growing Chocolate Soldier succulents are not susceptible to any serious pests or diseases.
- These small, hardy succulents thrive year-round when grown in pots in your home.
Let us know more about this in detail.
What is a Chocolate Soldier Plant?
The chocolate soldier plant which is also known as Kalanchoe tomentosa is a Madagascar-native succulent. Pussy Ears or Panda Plant are other names for it. In its original location, it is said that if this plant blooms, it will bring success and wealth to the home that owns it. The leaves of chocolate soldier bushes are blue-green and coated with microscopic hairs, offering them a fluffy texture. As the leaves grow, the edges of the leaves turn a reddish-brown tint.
They are planted for their foliage rather than their blossoms, as do all perennials. In the summertime, chocolate soldier plants bloom. The flowers are borne on 18-inch stems. The flowers themselves are small and yellowish-green in color.
How to grow a Chocolate Soldier Kalanchoe?
Do you want to grow the chocolate soldier kalanchoe plant in your garden? You would be happy to know that it’s easy to grow a chocolate soldier if you understand the circumstances it enjoys and how to hydrate the species. You just need to follow the below steps for growing it:
Step 1- Place the chocolate soldier plant in succulent soil that is well-draining and supplemented with pumice, perlite, or coir. 0 seconds of 15 seconds.
Step 2- Flowering Ground Cover 0 percent volume Place the plant in the morning sun, preferably moderate or filtered.
Step 3- The chocolate soldier kalanchoe requires less sunlight than many other succulents.
Step 4- If the shrub has been kept indoors, progressively adapt it to the sun outside. The chocolate soldier kalanchoe is adaptable to strong sunlight or artificial light if you want to keep it inside.
Step 5- This furry specimen’s leaves have hairs on them that prevent it from transpiring. The petals, like those of other succulent plants, retain water, allowing the plant to survive for months.
Step 6- make sure to Water the chocolate soldier sparingly in all seasons, but especially during the winter, when it is most certainly dormant.
This plant can be grown as a houseplant, in the ground if possible, or in a box outdoors. You’ll be delighted you got your hands on this lovely specimen.
How to Care for the Chocolate Soldier Plant?
Let us know about the caring tips for the plants to grow:
Sunlight
Chocolate soldier plants love bright indirect light. Kalanchoe tomentosa is not resistant to direct sunlight and is prone to leaf scorch.
For more such plant related-articles, you may also read, Tiger Jaws Succulent – Grow & Care Tiger Jaws Plant – Faucaria Tigrina Succulent
Water
Chocolate soldier plants have low water requirements. During the hot summer months, chocolate soldier plants may need more frequent watering.
Soil requirements
Chocolate soldier plants need dry, well-drained soil. A cactus or succulent soil mix is sufficient for growing chocolate soldier plants like Kabocha squash plant.
Temperature and humidity
You don’t have to worry about humidity with Chocolate Soldier plants; they love dry conditions. However, chocolate soldier succulents are not as heat tolerant as other types of succulents. Remember to bring it indoors at the first sign of frost.
Wrapping up the context
In this article, you come to know about the chocolate soldier kalanchoe plant which comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to nearly 2.5 feet tall. You may know them by other common names such as panda plant, white lady, velvet kalanchoe, or plush plant. Fortunately, slow-growing Chocolate Soldier succulents are not susceptible to any serious pests or diseases.
I am usually trying new strategies to increase the success of new plants in the Garden, I try my best to publish those on Gardening Hood as soon as possible.
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