Cotyledon pendens - Succulent Care

How to care for Cotyledon pendens

Naturally, Cotyledon pendens hangs from the cliffs lining the Bashe River of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Most Cotyledon are low shrub-like succulents, but C. pendens grows long, pendulous branches hanging down to 60 cm. Leaves range in colour depending on the age and care of the plant. Newer leaves are silver or white with a hint of green because pruinose (epicuticular wax or farina) covers the leaves’ surfaces. This substance can easily rub off, revealing a raw green colour underneath. A contrasting red strip lines the chubby leaf’s tip. Between one and four 2 cm long, vibrant orange to red, bell-shaped flowers hang straight down from short stems.

Check out Cotyledon pendens, available in our shop.

Care Tips

LIGHT: Due to the protective layer of pruinose, C. pendens is happy in full sun to semi shade, but the harshest sun can cause sunburn. The less sun it gets, the more green the leaves become.

WATER: Water sparingly from autumn to spring, and use even less water during summer dormancy.

SOIL: C. pendens grows well in a sandy-gritty, well-draining soil mix.

PLANTING: This succulent is best suited for hanging baskets, retaining walls, or wall gardens where its branches can hang freely. It also grows nicely in pot up to 12 cm or larger bowls as arrangements.

FERTILISER: Fertilise when the plant begins looking lackluster, or slows in growth, using a little general-purpose fertiliser.

BLOOMING: Groups of reddish flowers bloom at the end of leaved branches during winter.

DORMANCY: Cotyledon is dormant during the hotter summer months. In dry soil, it is hardy down to -5° C, so protect plants during winter.

PROPAGATION: C. pendens propagates via cuttings or leaves. Cuttings can be rooted wherever you’d like them to grow, and leaves can be propagated in sand and later transplanted.

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