Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa

RHS Plant Profile

thickly matted haired navel-wort

RHS

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

An evergreen, succulent shrub reaching a height of 70cm. The chunky leaves, up to 3.5cm long, are covered in a down of hairs and have 3-10 prominent dark-red "teeth" at their tips. Small, bell-shaped orange-yellow flowers are borne on short stems in summer

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: South Africa (Cape)

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 leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free