Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Velvet Elephant Ear Plant Care
Kalanchoe beharensis Drake
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This unique succulent is easily distinguished by its velvety, felt-like leaves covered in silver hairs. Originating from Madagascar, the Kalanchoe beharensis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking appearance and ability to thrive in arid conditions.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Velvet Elephant Ear?
Water Velvet Elephant Ear every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Velvet Elephant Ear Native To?
What Is the Velvet Elephant Ear?
Velvet Elephant Ear (Kalanchoe beharensis) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Kalanchoe genus. Velvet Elephant Ear is native to Madagascar known by local names mongy, rongy and tavitavy. Velvet Elephant Ear is also known as Felt Plant.
Velvet Elephant Ear displays a compact, bushy succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Velvet Elephant Ear produces small, colorful clusters of tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Velvet Elephant Ear?
Kalanchoe beharensis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Velvet Elephant Ear Need?
Velvet Elephant Ear thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Velvet Elephant Ear in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Velvet Elephant Ear Prefer?
Kalanchoe beharensis grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Velvet Elephant Ear prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Velvet Elephant Ear?
Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Velvet Elephant Ear to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Velvet Elephant Ear?
Feed Velvet Elephant Ear every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Velvet Elephant Ear?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Velvet Elephant Ear?
Velvet Elephant Ear can be propagated through stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kalanchoe plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Velvet Elephant Ear Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Velvet Elephant Ear?
Velvet Elephant Ear is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Velvet Elephant Ear Need?
Velvet Elephant Ear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Velvet Elephant Ear is native to Madagascar known by local names mongy, rongy and tavitavy. In cooler regions, grow Velvet Elephant Ear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Velvet Elephant Ear is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Kalanchoe genus — compare its care with other Kalanchoe species on PlantoScan.
Kalanchoe is part of the Crassulaceae plant family — browse all Crassulaceae genera and species.
Velvet Elephant Ear thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Kalanchoe Species
Other Kalanchoe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Kalanchoe beharensis Drake, family Crassulaceae (first published in Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris) 9: 41 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Velvet Elephant Ear is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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