SKU: 17927173139
fuzzy succulent with brown tips

fuzzy succulent with brown tips Chocolate Soldier Plant – Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’ 2" Pot

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Description

fuzzy succulent with brown tips Chocolate Soldier Plant – Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier’ 2" PotIntroducing the chocolate soldier plant, known as Kalanchoe tomentosa Chocolate Soldier, which is an extremely popular variety of the Kalanchoe, opens in a new tab genus. Native to Madagascar, it has several other common names such as Panda plant, Pussy ears, plush plant, cocoon plant, and velvet leaf Kalanchoe. This plant has earned its common name, chocolate soldier, due to the velvety texture and brownish color of its leaves, which resemble the

Introducing the chocolate soldier plant, known as Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Chocolate Soldier, which is an extremely popular variety of the Kalanchoe, opens in a new tab genus. Native to Madagascar, it has several other common names such as Panda plant, Pussy ears, plush plant, cocoon plant, and velvet leaf Kalanchoe.   

This plant has earned its common name, chocolate soldier, due to the velvety texture and brownish color of its leaves, which resemble the color of chocolate.  

One of the distinctive features of the Chocolate soldier plant is its fuzzy, elongated leaves that are covered in tiny hairs, giving them a soft and velvety appearance. The leaves are thick and spoon-shaped, with serrated edges, and are arranged in a rosette pattern. As the plant matures, it develops a woody stem, adding to its unique charm. 


When grown outdoors, it can also serve as a ground cover or add texture to rock gardens. The chocolate soldier plant can grow up to 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide.

It is a relatively compact plant, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces. People often confuse the chocolate soldier with the Panda plant.

But what distinguishes 'Chocolate Soldier' from the others is the eye-catching deep maroon or chocolate-brown hue along the leaf tips and edges.

In comparison to the panda plant, this succulent variety's leaves are narrower. The plant has an enticing appearance due to the lovely contrast created by the black borders and its fuzzy grey-green base. 

The flowers of the chocolate soldier plant bloom in the summer with small, tubular flowers. These flowers are typically red in color and appear on tall, upright stalks called inflorescences. However, it's worth noting that the plant's main ornamental value lies in its leaves rather than its flowers. 

When it comes to propagation, the Chocolate soldier plant can be easily propagated through stem or leaf cuttings. Simply take a healthy stem or leaf cutting and allow it to dry for a few days. Then, place the cutting in well-draining soil and provide it with bright, indirect light. With proper chocolate soldier plant care and patience, the cutting will develop roots and grow into a new plant. 

Watering Needs 

Like many other succulents, opens in a new tab, the Chocolate Soldier Plant has adapted to survive in arid conditions, which means it has low to moderate watering needs. When it comes to watering your Chocolate soldier plant, it's important to strike a balance. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues, while underwatering can cause the leaves to shrivel and drop. 

In the spring and summer, during the growing season, you can water your plant every 1-2 weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. In the winter months, when the plant is in a period of dormancy, you can reduce watering frequency to once every 2-4 weeks. 

As a general rule of thumb, it's best to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. To check soil moisture, insert a finger about an inch into the soil, and if it feels dry, it needs watering. When you do water, make sure to thoroughly saturate the soil and allow any excess water to drain away. Because it can cause root rot, don't let the plant stand in standing water. 

Remember, it's always better to underwater than overwater your Chocolate Soldiers Kalanchoe tomentosa. They are quite resilient and can tolerate drought conditions better than excessive moisture. Observing the plant's leaves and soil moisture levels will help you determine the right watering schedule for your Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier Plants. 

Light Requirements 

When growing indoors, the Chocolate Soldier Plant prefers bright, indirect light. It thrives in a spot where it can receive a good amount of bright, filtered sunlight throughout the day. Placing it near a window that faces east, or west is often ideal, as it allows the plant to benefit from the morning or afternoon sun without the intensity of direct sunlight. If you notice that the plant is stretching or leaning toward the light source, it may be an indication that it needs more light. 

If you decide this great ground cover outdoors, it generally enjoys bright, indirect light outdoors as well. However, it's important to protect it from intense, direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn or become scorched. Providing some shade or placing the plant in an area with dappled sunlight can help protect it from excessive heat and sun exposure. 

Remember, finding the right balance of light is key to the health of your plant. Observe how the plant responds to its current lighting conditions and make adjustments as needed. With the right amount of light, your chocolate soldier succulent can thrive and display its beautiful, fuzzy leaves. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

When it comes to soil, the Chocolate Soldier Plant prefers well-draining soil that allows excess water to flow out easily. Planet Desert specializes in succulents and has specialized succulent potting soil, opens in a new tab that includes an organic substrate with mycorrhizae to help with the growth of a healthy root system to help your succulents thrive. As an okay alternative, you can create your own potting mix by combining equal portions of perlite, coarse sand, and good natural potting soil. 

As for fertilizing, the Kalanchoe tomentosa Chocolate soldier succulent doesn't require frequent feeding. During the growing season in the spring, you can fertilize the plant once a year with a balanced (5-10-5), water-soluble NPK fertilizer diluted to half strength. This will provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming the plant. During the dormant period in winter, you can reduce or stop fertilizing altogether, as the plant's growth slows down. 

Remember, it's always important to follow the instructions and avoid overfertilizing, as this can lead to salt buildup in the soil and cause damage to the plant. Additionally, it's a good practice to water the plant thoroughly before applying fertilizer to prevent any potential burning of the roots. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

When growing indoors, your chocolate soldier thrives in average room temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. It's important to keep it away from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations, as it prefers a stable environment. As for humidity, this succulent plant can adapt to normal household humidity levels, but it appreciates a bit of extra humidity. You can increase humidity by placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier if needed. 

For outdoor cultivation, the chocolate soldier plant is generally suitable for outdoor cultivation in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. In these zones, the plant can tolerate mild frost but may require protection during colder winter months. If you live in a colder climate, it's best to grow the Kalanchoe chocolate soldier plant as a houseplant or in containers that can be brought indoors during the winter. 

Remember, providing the right temperature and humidity conditions, whether indoors or outdoors, is essential for the health and well-being of your chocolate soldier plant. With proper care, it will reward you with its unique and fuzzy foliage! 

Final Thoughts 

Overall, the Chocolate soldier plant is a unique and charming popular ground cover succulent with fuzzy, dark brownish leaves that resemble the color of chocolate. It can grow from 8 inches to 2 feet in height, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. This plant is relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in bright, indirect light. It prefers well-drained soil and should be watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. With its distinctive features and easy-care requirements, the Chocolate Soldier Plant is a delightful addition to any plant collection. 

Give it a try and enjoy the beauty and intrigue this unique Kalanchoe tomentosa Chocolate soldier plant brings to your home or garden! 

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Kimmie is happy
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
My Dachshunds Love These
Size: Small
These balls are durable, flexible material, highly chewable without being easily destroyed. I stuff them with Milkbone Maro Snacks, which are just the right size to twist into the holes in the ball. My dogs literally get an hour+ chewing and chasing entertainment from these. They chew them, they sometimes 'pop' out of their mouths, go rolling across the floor, dogs chasing them. This satisfies their urge to hunt prey. Dachshunds can easily tear this kind of stuff-it-toy apart. These have lasted for a long time without tearing or shredding. I would NOT recommend them for a dog much larger than a tweenie weenie. They're a bit on the small side and might be swallowed by a larger dog. It would be cool it they also came in a larger size (and probably ball wall thickness also) for the bigger dogs to enjoy. These stuff-it chew balls are better than the kong balls my dogs had before these. Highly recommend them.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
L
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LJ
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
My puppy’s favorite fetch toy!
Size: Small
Update Aug 27, 2024: After 10 months, these are still his favorite ball. He’s obsessed with fetching and plays with them all day. They do bounce really high. Unfortunately, the small size aren’t available for sale anywhere anymore. I tried the medium size, and he has a bit of trouble hanging on to them, but he manages. Weirdly, he prefers the orange one, but he also plays with the blue one. My 7 month old Shih Tzu puppy loves to fetch, and these are his new favorites. They’re small enough to fit in his mouth, and they are made of hard plastic, so he’s able to hold on to them. They have a lot of bounce, and this adds to the fun for him. I highly recommend them.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
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Verified Purchase
Genuinely
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Genuinely bummed that these great balls can’t stand up against my Chloè.
Size: Medium
I love all the Chuckit brand of balls. I found that the Strabo and glow balls in the Chuckit line are the softest, and as such, don't last as long as the rest of Chuckit line of balls. Having said that, they do last longer than than every other brand I've tried (and I do believe I’ve tried every brand available on the market today.) The strato balls do bounce higher than any of the other balls in the Chuckit line. They really are a good value.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2022
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Debbie
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Great dog balls at a great price
Size: Medium
The balls are a favorite for my dog. I could have done without the hole through the middle because I don't do treats in balls anyway. My dog loves balls for their own merit. I needed replacement balls for my Nerf Dog Ball launcher. It seems the originals have disappeared from the market. I took a chance because the price is right and this Chuck-it ball works very well so we're liking this ball a lot. So far my Dachsund, who can destroy a tennis ball (the kind they are selling as Nerf Dog replacements) in 3 minutes has not done any damage to this one so that's a win. I recommend this as a much better ball than the fuzzy tennis balls. I like the colors too since many dog toys are green (which gets lost in the lawn, etc.) or red (even though dogs have red/green color blindness. Blue and orange are good and pretty easy to find. I liked these well enough that this set was my second purchase so I will have spares in case the others are lost.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2023
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Verified Purchase
Just passing through
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
My Baby loves his new baby!
Size: Medium, Size: Medium
Finally! A ball my 107 lb. pitty/pointer mix can’t destroy. He has torn up every single “indestructible” toy in a day or so until now. He peels fabric and fur off non-rubber toys. He is a 4-legged shredder. I’ve added pictures of him for a size reference of my dog versus this product. I know I had wanted that when shopping for this item. This ball is now his beloved “baby.” He goes absolutely insane looking for it, chewing it, chasing it, and even sleeping with it. He won’t rest unless he knows exactly where it is. It is his only toy, and he is good with that. After getting this home, I tried giving him other choices, but he won’t touch them. I was worried that he would rip it apart by putting his teeth in the holes, but so far, not a scratch. It is soft enough to collapse just enough to keep it from cracking when his jaws crush it but not so soft that he can rip it to sheds. The holes are large enough to prevent a suction or vacuum effect on his tongue or mouth. For his size jaws, it is a perfect fit. Other dogs might have problems with suction or be able to get their teeth in those holes and rip it apart. Who knows? The older version of the Chuckit squeaky ball was his favorite for the year and a half he had it, but the way they make them now, he peels off the orange triangle in hours flat, the squeaker falls out (choking hazard), and then he rips it apart. I’m going to stock up on these. I can’t imagine how crazy he will be if they ever stop production or change the materials.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019

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