Kalanchoe Species, Elephant Ear Kalanchoe, Felt Plant, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe

Kalanchoebeharensis

Family
Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Kalanchoe (kal-un-KOH-ee)
Species
beharensis (be-HAIR-en-sis)
Synonym
Kalanchoe beharensis var. aureo-aeneus
Kalanchoe beharensis var. subnuda
Kalanchoe van-tieghemii
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Winter
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Canoga Park, California

Carlsbad, California

Clayton, California

Hayward, California

Huntington Park, California

Los Angeles, California(2 reports)

Los Gatos, California

Mountain View, California

North Highlands, California

Perris, California

Reseda, California

San Diego, California

San Leandro, California

Santa Barbara, California

Simi Valley, California

Tujunga, California

Upland, California

Bartow, Florida

Big Pine Key, Florida

Deerfield Beach, Florida

Delray Beach, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)

Lecanto, Florida

Miami, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Umatilla, Florida

Venice, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Winter Haven, Florida

Albany, Georgia

Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii

Ocean View, Hawaii

Las Vegas, Nevada

Lambertville, New Jersey

Houston, Texas

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

17
positives
2
neutrals
2
negatives
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H
H
Fort Lauderdale, FL (Zone 10b) | July 2020 | positive

A couple of people have made posts about the "invasiveness" of this plant. The poster from Decatur, GA is definitely mistaken about the ...Read More

K
Hawaiian Ocean View, HI | October 2019 | negative

This plant was left to grow wild for many years at the house I just bought. It’s taken over a big patch of cleared land and moved into ...Read More

D
Los Gatos, CA | June 2014 | positive

Terrific plant in terms of distinct look and simplicity of care. It has grown to 5 feet and appears awkward (long stem, too tall for its ...Read More

L
Los Angeles, CA | April 2014 | positive

This plant does NOT propogate by seeding and does NOT develop plantlets on its leaf margins, so those stating that this plant is invasive...Read More

D
San Diego, CA | October 2013 | neutral

I believe 10TPz is referring to Abutilon theophrasti and not Kalanchoe beharensis which does not have either hollow stems or heart-shaped...Read More

C
Scottsdale, AZ | March 2012 | positive

Here in Scottsdale this plant does great. Purchased it in a one gallon container, and it is 5' tall and 3' wide after just 3 years. It d...Read More

P
Hopewell, NJ | March 2012 | neutral

hi! i've been growing this little charmer in my sunny window and it's doing all the thingsyou've all commented on before, sending off lit...Read More

L
Los Angeles, CA | May 2011 | positive

I've been growing a fang in a pot on my north facing balcony for about 4 years and it has just kept getting taller & taller until, at the...Read More

C
C
Tujunga, CA | March 2011 | positive

I have never seen any offshoots of any of these plants. My way to grow more is to break off a leaf, put in in a dark, dry area and a sma...Read More

P
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | July 2010 | positive

I have to sort of chuckle about the post about K. beharensis being an invasive plant. I WISH it was an invasive plant here in Arizona. ...Read More

1
1
Decatur, GA | May 2010 | negative

You do not want this plant in your garden! It has been outlawed as a noxious plant because of its profuse seeding capacity that can seed...Read More

W
Lecanto, FL (Zone 9a) | June 2009 | positive

I grow all of mine from leaves. Lay the leaf on top of the soil in shaded area and do not water. That's it. Leave it alone. Don't water i...Read More

S
| May 2009 | positive

My most beloved plant! Here in Melbourne, it happily survives gale strength winds, 40 plus heat, and blazing sun. Autumn rain brings on a...Read More

T
Oklahoma City, OK | February 2009 | positive

Mine is a very impressive plant that stands out from other plants grown in a pot, a true speciman. About the fastest growing succulent I...Read More

B
Hayward, CA | January 2009 | positive

Surprisngly hardy plant taking near freezing temps very well. Also handles our cool bay area wet winters also . I'm not sure why it isn't...Read More

T
Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | November 2007 | positive

We have had ours two years now and keep it in a pot. It is about 2.5 feet tall and produces new leaves about once a month. We water it ...Read More

E
| February 2005 | positive

Woody succulent shrub native to Madagascar. Nice specimen plant for zones 10b-11. Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. Soil sho...Read More

T
T
| February 2004 | positive

Is this commonly known as a "Madagascan Felt Bush"?
I bought a mature bush (8') described such as this from a specialist nursery w...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | October 2003 | positive

This is a relatively fast growing Kalanchoe with large, fuzzy leaves that eventually grows into a small bonsai-like tree in So Cal. Its ...Read More

H
Northern California, CA | September 2003 | positive

The Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe will grow in most any condition. Full sun to full shade. Shade will keep it mostly gray/green, while full sun ...Read More

D
D
Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10a) | February 2003 | positive

I have grown Kalanchoe beharensis outdoors for many years. I live in Sunset Zone 21, and the evening temperatures rarely fall bel...Read More

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