Elephant's ear Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe beharensis · Crassulaceae
📷 H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around elephant's ear kalanchoe and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fleshy and velvety
- Flowering
- Winter to spring (yellow flowers)
- Adult size
- 16-24 inches in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Tender (50-59°F minimum)
- Origin
- Madagascar
- Soil type
- Well-draining, poor
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose modérément en croissance (avril-septembre), puis réduis drastiquement en hiver—cette plante stocke l'eau dans ses feuilles veloutées et meurt plus souvent d'excès d'eau que de sécheresse. Laisse le substrat sécher complètement entre deux arrosages, surtout en période froide.
The common mistake
Le piège classique est d'arroser régulièrement en hiver en pensant bien faire : le feuillage ralentit, la plante a besoin de très peu d'eau, et l'humidité stagnante pourrit rapidement les racines et la base de la tige.
The pro's trick
Utilise un substrat très drainant (mélange cactus/succulentes + 30% de perlite ou de graviers fins) et un pot percé avec un bon drainage : c'est ta meilleure assurance contre les maladies cryptogamiques. À rempotage, laisse sécher 2-3 jours avant de reprendre l'arrosage.
Seasonal watch
En automne-hiver, surveille l'humidité ambiante élevée : si tu cultives en intérieur près du chauffage ou en serre humide, aère régulièrement et espacer davantage les arrosages, sinon le feuillage se couvre de taches brunes ou de pourriture molles.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), approximately once a week. In winter, reduce drastically: let the substrate dry out completely between waterings. Absolutely avoid overwatering, which causes root rot.
Light
Place it in bright light, ideally near a sunny window. It tolerates partial shade but its leaves become less fleshy. Protect it from direct rays in summer if they're too intense in a conservatory.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-draining mix: 2 parts cactus or succulent soil + 1 part perlite or pumice. The soil should be poor in organic matter. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
Fertilizer
Feed lightly in spring and summer with diluted fertilizer formulated for succulents (low in nitrogen). One application every two months is sufficient. Stop feeding in fall-winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune it lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, branched shape. Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base. It doesn't require severe pruning.
Diseases and pests
Watch for mealybugs, especially indoors. Check regularly in the leaf axils. Avoid excessive humidity, which promotes fungal diseases. In case of light infestation, clean with soapy water.
Did you know?
Kalanchoe beharensis is nicknamed the 'bear's ear plant' because of its large velvety leaves that resemble ears. This unique texture, gray-green and almost tactile, allows it to reduce evaporation under the hot, dry climate of Madagascar.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.