Cotyledon orbiculata

Cotyledon orbiculata

The botanical genus Cotyledon is a genus of non-cactaceous succulent or succulent plants whose species are very easy to care for, even simpler to multiply and highly decorative. They grow in South Africa but, despite what it may seem otherwise, they resist mild frosts.

It is not demanding at all, so it can be kept both in pots and isolated specimens or in groups in different sunny corners of the garden. Do you want to know their care?

Cotyledon orbiculata flower

Cotyledon orbiculata flower

Cotyledon (not to be confused with ‘cotyledon’, which is a term that refers to the first two leaves that emerge from the seed once it germinates) is an incredible succulent. It can grow up to 60cmbut if you consider that this is a lot you can always prune it and plant the stems in spring or summer in other pots or in the garden.

Taking care of him is a simple and pleasant task, since you can be sure that it’s going to be really hard for you to lose her. It can happen of course, but not if you follow these tips.

Cotyledon tomentosa

Cotyledon tomentosa

To have a Cotyledon plant in perfect condition, you just have to take into account the following:

  • Location: full sun. The more hours of light it receives per day, the better it will grow. Indoors, it can be in a room with plenty of natural light.
  • Soil or substrate: it must have good drainage. If you are going to have it in a pot, you can use sandy substrates (river sand, pomx, akadama); and if you are going to plant it in the garden you must make sure that the ground does not get waterlogged. On this article you have more information on draining pots and garden soil.
  • Irrigation: every 3-4 days in summer, and every 5-6 days the rest of the year. It does not resist waterlogging.
  • Subscriber: during spring and summer with mineral fertilizers, such as Nitrofoska, pouring a small spoonful on the surface of the substrate or soil once every 15 days.
  • Transplant / planting: in spring.
  • Multiplication: by leaf or stem cuttings in summer. Also by seeds in spring-summer.
  • Pests: watch out for snails. Uses Natural medicine or molluscicides to prevent them from killing your plant.
  • Rusticity: it supports mild frosts down to -3ºC, but you have to protect it from hail.

What did you think of the Cotyledon?