Kalanchoe is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent, plants in the family of Crassulaceae (stonecrop). The genus is predominantly native to the Old World, 60 species are from Madagascar. Only one species originates from the Americas, 116 species (included Madagascar) are from Africa and some from south-east Asia and China. Many are popular for their easy culture indoors. Kalanchoe comes from Chine’s ‘Kalan Chauhuy’ meaning “which falls and grows”, likely in reference to the plantlets that drop from some of the species. Most are shrubs or perennial herbaceous plants, but a few are annual or biennial. The largest of the genus is Kalanchoe beharensis, can reach 4 m tall, but most species are less than 1 m tall. The genus Kalanchoe may reproduce asexually by producing plantlets on leaf margins, which when distributed on a suitable substrate will form new plants.

Kalanchoe beharensis belongs to the Kalanchoe genus of succulents in the Crassulaceae (stonecrop) family. It is an evergreen, perennial, 1–2 m tall shrub; it may reach heights of 4 meters in the wild. It is the largest plant of the Kalanchoe family. The species was originally discovered near Behara in Madagascar. The specific epithet “beharensis” comes from Behara.

Velvet Leaf Plant has thick stems that are covered sharp angled leaf scars. Grey-green, slightly-triangular leaves covered with short brown stellate hairs that give the leaves a soft, velvety texture. Each leaf is up to 30 cm long and 10–15 cm wide. The bottoms of the leaves are smooth and glossy, and covered with a woolly hair towards the apex. A sign of older leaves is concavity on the upper surface. Inflorescences are 50–60 cm high, forming a branched corymb. Blooming occurs from spring to summer, small urn-shaped greenish-yellow flowers are 6 mm in length.

Kalanchoe beharensis needs full to partial sun, with warm temperatures above 5 °C. It may take light frost for a short time. Plant needs a good drainage, should be dry before watering again. In the winter months it should be watered sparingly. Too much water will kill the plant. Propagation is by seed, stem cuttings, or by leaf cuttings, in which the mid rib should be cut in various places. The cuttings should be grown on a sandy substrate. Plant produces seeds as well as plantlets.

Like most Kalanchoe varieties Velvet Leaf Plant is prone to several threats, including over-watering. When overwatered, the leaves may start to rot. Aphids and mealy bugs like the leaves of this succulent.

Use in Landscape: A great sculptural succulent for the succulent garden or in a large pot. The thick, triangular, silver-brown velvety leaves make for interesting looks in the landscape. It is one of the best succulent at rock garden at subtropics or temperate regions. In cool or wet regions, the plant should be kept in containers so can be moved indoors when the weather gets cooler.