pig's ear succulent care Buy Cotyledon orbiculata Pig's Ear Navel Wort

pig's ear succulent care Buy Cotyledon orbiculata Pig's Ear Navel WortPig's Ear Round leafed Navel Wort Botanical Name: Cotyledon orbiculata Family: Crassulaceae Origin: Southern Africa (South Africa & Namibia) Plant Type: Evergreen succulent shrub Overview Cotyledon orbiculata (Pigs Ear) is a water wise, architectural succulent for South Australian gardens. It forms tidy clumps of powdery blue green, paddle shaped leaves with red edges in sun, and throws pendulous orangecoral bell flowers in winter that feed

Pig's Ear / Round-leafed Navel Wort

Botanical Name: Cotyledon orbiculata
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Southern Africa (South Africa & Namibia)
Plant Type: Evergreen succulent shrub

Overview

Cotyledon orbiculata (Pig’s Ear) is a water-wise, architectural succulent for South Australian gardens. It forms tidy clumps of powdery blue-green, paddle-shaped leaves with red edges in sun, and throws pendulous orange–coral bell flowers in winter that feed pollinators. Perfect for gravel gardens, coastal sites and bold containers.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6-1.0 m H x 0.6-1.2 m W
• Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fleshy, blue-green/grey-green “paddles” with a silvery bloom; edges blush red in high light
• Flowers: Winter stems topped with orange–coral, bell-shaped blooms; long-lasting and nectar-rich
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round structure; best flowering in winter when gardens are quieter
• Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees and other pollinators in cooler months
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant
  coastal-tolerant; light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: Shrub borders/rock gardens: 0.6–1.0 m centres for a dense, dramatic effect
• Pet Friendly: No — not pet-friendly. Contains bufadienolide toxins; ingestion can harm pets/livestock

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (colour and compact habit are best with strong light)
• Soil: Very well-drained sandy or gravelly loam; raised beds/mounds for heavier soils; avoid waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 14–21 days in summer; rarely in winter (let soil dry between waterings)
• Maintenance: Mulch with gravel; remove spent flower stems; prune lightly to shape after flowering; fertilise sparingly in early spring
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in suitable, free-draining sites
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Neutral, but adaptable to mild Acidic/Alkaline

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Swap “hedges” for succulent mass plantings and gravel borders for striking texture
• Feature in large pots near entries and outdoor living spaces
• Mix with agaves, aloes and ornamental grasses for a contemporary, low-water palette

Why You Will Love It

A set-and-forget drought hero: sculptural blue-green leaves with red edges, cheerful winter bells for pollinators, and exceptional heat/coastal resilience — all with minimal watering and care.