Felt bush
Kalanchoe beharensis
Also called Velvet elephant ear, Napoleon's hat and Feltbush
Houseplant · Succulents & cactiLeaves like triangles of brown felt the size of your hand, on a plant that makes a small tree in ten years. Keep water OFF the leaves — the felt holds it and rots.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 16 daysSoak, then bone-dry — wait until the soil is dry right through — lift the pot, it tells you.
- Light
- Bright, with some direct sun
- Feed
- Every 90 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out for the summer RHS H1C, to 5°C
- Size
- 1.2 m tall · 0.8 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Madagascar
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.