Felt Bush
Kalanchoe beharensis
Felt Bush is a slow-growing Madagascar succulent with large triangular leaves coated in soft cinnamon to silver hairs. Scalloped edges and woody stems give it a bold sculptural look in a sunny planter. Keep water off the fuzzy leaves and let the soil dry between drinks.
Light
Full Sun
Water
Low
Difficulty
Easy
Humidity
Low
Pet Warning
Contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides) which are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare cases, abnormal heart rhythms.
Care Notes
Light
Give this plant bright sun, ideally a south-facing window with at least 6 hours of light. Leggy growth means it needs a brighter spot.
Water
Let the soil dry completely between waterings. In winter, water only once a month or two while growth slows. Avoid wetting the velvety leaves, which can invite rot or fungus.
Soil
Use a gritty cactus or succulent mix in a terracotta planter with drainage holes. Porous pots help moisture evaporate from the sides as well as the bottom.
Humidity & Temperature
Low humidity is fine. Keep temperatures around 65°F-80°F and protect from anything below 50°F. Skip cold drafts and AC vents.
Common Issues
Mealybugs like to hide in the fuzzy leaf crevices. Mushy or dropping leaves usually mean overwatering and possible root rot; stop watering and check the roots.
In-Depth Care & Growth
Feeding & Soil
Fertilizer
Balanced succulent fertilizer
Soil
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand
Physical Attributes
Mature Size
3 to 5 feet tall indoors; up to 12 feet in native habitat
Growth Rate
Slow
Propagation
Stem cuttings or leaf cuttings (leaf cuttings take significantly longer to produce plantlets)
Common Varieties
Fang
Velvety triangular silvery-bronze leaves with tooth-like tubercles on the undersides.
Oak Leaf
Deeply lobed silvery-bronze foliage with a velvety feel and ruffled margins shaped like oak leaves.
Rose Leaf
Velvety, deeply lobed triangular leaves that are coppery-cinnamon on top, silvery-gray underneath, with dark brown stitching along the scallops.