Water
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems. In winter, reduce watering significantly as the plant enters dormancy.
Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Also known as Dog's Ears · Paddle Plant · Pig's-Ears
Pig's ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) is a succulent shrub native to South Africa, known for its fleshy, rounded leaves and bell-shaped flowers.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun to partial shade
75% intensity
Prefers bright light, but can tolerate some shade. Protect from intense afternoon sun in very hot climates.
Infrequent
25% intensity
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Reduce in winter.
Well-draining, sandy, gritty mix
50% intensity
Moderate to high
75% intensity
Prefers warm temperatures. Protect from frost. Can tolerate heat well.
Low
25% intensity
Feed sparingly with diluted succulent fertilizer during the growing season.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems. In winter, reduce watering significantly as the plant enters dormancy.
Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Prune to maintain shape, remove dead or damaged leaves, and encourage bushier growth. Cut back stems just above a leaf node. Pruning can also be done to propagate new plants.
Easily propagated from stem cuttings or leaves. Allow cuttings to callus over for a few days before planting in well-draining soil. Roots will form in a few weeks, especially in warmer conditions.
Repot every 2-3 years or when the plant becomes root-bound. Use a gritty, well-draining potting mix. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current root ball. Repot in spring before the active growing season.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Pig's Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Saxifragales |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Cotyledon |
| Species | Cotyledon orbiculata |
Similar in genus Cotyledon
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
