Kalanchoe Beharensis Guide: A Succulent for All Types of Gardens

Kalanchoe beharensis of the Crassulaceae family, a slow-growing succulent, has an eye-catching, bizarre look. You can expect it to grow into a 12-inch tall plant that spreads over 36 inches when fully matured.

The green-gray foliage is the main feature of this plant, while its flowers are orange and attract wildlife. Continue reading to find out the best tips and tricks for growing your own Kalanchoe genus succulent.

Quick Overview

Here is a handy table of this plant’s requirements.
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Requirements	Kalanchoe beharensis
Light	Tolerates full sun exposure, but grows well in partial sun as well
Water	Water when top inch of soil is dry
Soil	Needs a well-draining soil mixture
Temperature	Thrives in warm climates

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What Is Kalanchoe Beharensis

Kalanchoe beharensis is a beautiful succulent that has a green-gray foliage and orange flowers from the family Crassulaceae and genus Kalanchoe.

It can grow up to 12 inches tall and 36 inches wide and has irregular, velvety leaves.

– Scientific Classification

• Family: Crassulaceae
• Genus: Kalanchoe
• Origin: Madagascar
• Botanical Name: Kalanchoe beharensis
• Common Name: Felt bush, Velvetleaf plant, Elephant’s ears kalanchoe 
• Plant Type: Perennial, succulent
• Size: Up to 12 feet 
• Leaves: Irregular edges with a velvety texture
• Flowers: Orange flowers
• Light: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: well-draining succulent potting soil
• Propagation: Leaf-cutting
• Hardiness: Zones 11 to 12

– Leaves

The plant grows slowly, producing triangular leaves with long stalks. The upper parts of mature leaves feature a bronze-like color, while the undersides are typically a silver-gray color. You’ll also notice plenty of fine hairs on the leaf stalks and the fang-like foliage.

– Flowers

Mature plants can produce long clusters of flowers. These blooms are urn-shaped, with shades of reddish-orange and greenish-yellow flowers.

– Care

This hardy plant is a succulent and its interesting leaves and flowers make it an attractive house plant. Ideal for outdoor gardens in warmer regions, it grows well in pots as a houseplant and can thrive indoors in a sunny location too.

Kalanchoe beharensis leaves are greyish green and have a smooth texture. The flowers appear occasionally and they are orange in color. This contrast creates a beautiful display and it is said to be a rare sight in some regions. For others, this is a regular event.

This plant comes with its own specific requirements, but being a succulent, it needs less from you. Let us take a look at its growing needs in the guide below.

Soil

The Elephant ear kalanchoe plant needs a well-draining soil mixture. You can make your own or get a ready-made mixture for the succulents or cactus from the market. It needs to be sand-based so that it drains fast.

The best type of soil will be loam or sandy. Ph can be anywhere from alkaline, neutral to acidic.

Water

Kalanchoe beharensis grows beautifully when you take care of it. Overwatering kills it, so caring for it means giving it water only when it is needed. To check if it is the right time to water, you can dig in the soil one inch deep and see if the soil is dry. 

Since this plant stores moisture in its leaves, you can occasionally skip a water session and it will still be happy.

Light

Kalanchoe beharensis has an incredible tolerance for full sun exposure, but it grows well in partial sun as well. This quality gives us a lot of room to decide where to place it around the house. It will look attractive both indoors and outdoors, but one point to remember is that having too low a light is not suitable for its health.

Temperature

Kalanchoe beharensis thrives in warm climates. Zone 10a will also be suitable for it, which gets a low of around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler regions, bring your plant indoors during winter to keep it warm and protected from frost or snow.

– Potting

Kalanchoe beharensis is a perfect plant for potted gardens. Place your pots where they will get enough sunlight. The garden can be a themed garden like a succulent garden, pollinator garden or even a Mediterranean garden.

This plant spreads fast, and it needs a bigger pot as it grows. When the plant has outgrown the old pot, give it a pot that is 1.5 inches bigger than the old one.

Propagation

It is incredible how easy it is to propagate this plant. It is an activity that can even be done with kids to show them results that are successful even with less waiting. This plant can be propagated by leaves or stem cuttings, and you can also plant its seeds. Let us look at some of the methods of Kalanchoe beharensis reproduction below.

– Seed Sowing

Collect seeds of Kalanchoe beharensis from the dry seed pods and plant them in small containers. Cover them lightly and water gently. Do this during spring or summer on sandy soil.

– Leaf Cuttings

This is the simplest way to multiply your Kalanchoe beharensis plant without any hassle.

1. Remove thick succulent leaves during the spring or summer.
2. Allow them to dry for a few days or even up to a week.
3. Stick the leaves into the soil and spray a little water on them.
4. Keep the pot in bright light and away from full sunlight.
5. Leaves will begin to root in 3 to 4 weeks.
6. Soon, the leaves will begin to grow.
7. Once the new cuttings are established, you can then repot them into a container and bring them outside in full sunlight.

– Stem Cuttings

Kalanchoe beharensis can be propagated through stem cuttings in the same manner.

1. Use sterilized tools to cut a stem.
2. Wait for a few days and let it dry out a little.
3. It will form calluses, which is when you’ll know it’s safe to plant into sandy soil.
4. The potting soil must be well-draining.
5. Water the plant as the soil dries out.
6. Keep it in bright light but away from full sunlight until it establishes itself.
7. You can also plant the leaves and stems after pruning.

Is it not simple to propagate your lovely plant? We hope the propagation guide clarified each step for you. Pick a method that seems easiest to you or the one that you have never tried before. Not much can go wrong with this plant.

 

Popular Kalanchoe Varieties

• Kalanchoe tomentosa, also called a Panda plant, has soft hairy leaves with brown edges.
• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, named Flaming Katy, is known for its thick and succulent dark green foliage.
• Kalanchoe marnieriana, or the Marnier’s kalanchoe plant, is popular for its paddle-shaped leaves that have red tips.
• Kalanchoe luciae, also called the Paddle plant, have rounded leaves that look like clamshells.

Problems

The Kalanchoe beharensis can experience the following problems:

• Overwatering can cause root rot and lead to plant death. Avoid giving your plant water too frequently during the growing season. Reduce water quantity even more during winter.
• Aphids and mealybugs are attracted to the plant’s juicy sap. Pesticide may be needed to keep them away. It will be best to choose a natural pesticide if necessary.
• Leaves begin to wilt when the plant is left in the shade and is not getting enough light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kalanchoe Beharensis a Hardy Plant?

Yes. Kalanchoe beharensis is a hardy plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors and is easy to care for. Kilchingia mandrakensis is another name that it is sold under. It needs very minimal care and is drought tolerant.

How Big Can Kalanchoe Beharensis Grow?

Kalanchoe beharensis has a tree-like appearance when allowed to grow.

It can grow up to 12 feet tall and is said to be the largest succulent among the kalanchoe species.

How Fast Does It Grow?

The Kalanchoe beharensis matures very slowly. It is a hardy plant that grows massive in its native regions, but mostly not in other areas.

How Often Will Kalanchoe Beharensis Bloom?

Kalanchoe beharensis may rarely bloom outside its native region. It does bloom regularly in some parts of the world which are warmer and support local wildlife, but in most regions, it seems like a rare sight.

What Kind of Light and Temperature Will the Kalanchoe Beharensis Plant Tolerate? 

Kalanchoe beharensis will tolerate warmer temperatures better than colder ones. Very low temperatures can kill it. It is recommended for zones 11 to 12 but thrives in zone 10a.

How Often Should I Water My Plant?

The water needed by a plant depends on its environment. Succulents need less water, and the Kalanchoe beharensis plant is no different. Allow the soil to get dry in between watering.

You rarely need to water this plant during winter. Watering it to keep the soil moist will be enough.

When Should I Fertilize My Plants?

Kalanchoe beharensis doesn’t need much fertilizer. Only fertilize when it is unable to get enough sunlight or water.

Remember, it will thrive even in poor soil, so if you want to give it fertilizer, give it during spring and summer only.

Is Indoor Plantation Better Than Outdoor Plantation of Kalanchoe Beharensis?

If you live in a warmer region, then it is best to plant it outdoors. However, if you live in a region that has low temperatures unbearable for the plant, it is best to plant them indoors or bring them indoors when temperatures begin to drop.

When outdoors, the irregular-edged, gray-green leaves create a very interesting feature for your garden. The plant also looks stunning as a potted plant indoors near a sunny window.

Conclusion

Kalanchoe beharensis is a lovely plant with stunning foliage that is gray-green with a hint of copper. The flowers are attractive and it is easy to take care of as an outdoor or indoor plant.

• The Kalanchoe beharensis  plant is hardy in both an outdoor and indoor setting
• It needs well-draining soil that is rich in sand. It can even grow in poor soil
• The plant is drought-tolerant and needs less water. On the other hand, overwatering will kill it
• Kalanchoe beharensis tolerates warmer climates better than colder ones
• Do not fertilize it during winter. It needs fertilizer only when the plant looks weak. Generally, sunlight and water is enough for it to thrive
• This plant also needs to be in full sunlight, and if the care given to it is right, it can grow into a very tall plant
• Growing kalanchoe beharensis is easy through propagation using stem and leaf cuttings. It can also be grown from seeds. Do this in spring or during the growing season
• Aphids and mealybugs attack it and can be controlled with natural pesticides
• Besides the pests, plant health is also affected by overwatering and root rot

The Kalanchoe beharensis would be perfect in an outdoor cacti garden or as a potted plant placed indoors. All it needs is a bright light, warmth, a little water and lots of love to thrive.