Cotyledon orbiculata

RHS Plant Profile
round-leafed navel-wort

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round-leafed navel-wort RHS
round-leafed navel-wort RHS
round-leafed navel-wort RHS

Other common names

pig's ear

Synonyms

Sedum orbiculatum (L.) Kuntze

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse
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An evergreen, succulent shrub growing to 100cm tall. Its grey-green, oval leaves are coated with a white wax and sometimes have a red edge. Small, bell-shaped, orange-redflowers are borne on stems up to 70cm long in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Cotyledon are succulent perennials and shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and nodding, bell-shaped red, orange or yellow flowers borne in compact panicles
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S. Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Provide low humidity. Water freely when in growth and keep just moist at other times. Apply a dilute low nitrogen fertilizer fortnightly during late spring and summer. Keep almost dry in the winter. Stand plants outside during the summer months. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further details

Propagation

Propagate by seed or from stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free