Kalanchoe tomentosa, native to east-central Madagascar and a member of the stonecrop family, earns its botanical epithet directly: tomentosa means covered with fine hairs, and the leaves of this plant are so thoroughly coated in silvery-white fuzz that they feel almost tactile to look at. The pale green leaves are soft and fleshy, their margins marked with chocolate-brown spots that give the plant its panda associations. Growth is slow and erect, eventually reaching one to three feet tall and two to three feet wide, making it a patient but ultimately substantial houseplant.

Bright indirect light for at least six hours daily is the key requirement, though the panda plant should be shielded from intense afternoon sun that can cause leaf burn. A cactus or succulent mix and restrained watering — allowing the soil to dry fully between thorough waterings — suits it well. The plant rarely flowers indoors, but outdoor specimens in zones 9 to 11 may produce panicles of small tubular flowers in green to yellowish-brown to purple during summer. Propagation is trickier than for most succulents: leaf cuttings and offshoots are the recommended methods. The plant is toxic if ingested and should be kept away from children and pets.