Cotyledon pendens
Cotyledon pendens · Crassulaceae
📷 Abu Shawka · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cotyledon pendens and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fleshy and glaucous
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April-June)
- Adult size
- 30 to 50 cm in height, trailing habit
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, grow indoors or in a greenhouse (0-5 °C minimum)
- Origin
- South Africa (Karoo, semi-arid regions)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, mineral, poor in organic matter
Care
Moderate watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer), once or twice a week depending on climate. Let the substrate dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. In autumn-winter, reduce watering drastically: water just once a month, as the plant enters dormancy.
Bright light and warmth
Give it bright, direct light for at least 4 to 5 hours a day. It prefers warm, sunny locations. Indoors, place it near a south or east-facing window. Prolonged shade weakens the grey tone of the leaves and slows growth.
Draining substrate
Use a special succulent (cactus) mix or make your own with 50% light potting soil and 50% pumice, perlite or coarse sand. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. Cotyledon pendens fears stagnant moisture more than dryness.
Light pruning and deadheading
Remove dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy. Pinch back stems lightly in early spring to encourage denser branching and a more compact habit. Remove faded flowers to extend blooming.
Moderate fertilising
Fertilise only once or twice in spring-summer with a diluted succulent fertiliser at half strength. No feeding is needed in autumn-winter. Excess nitrogen causes soft growth and dulls its beautiful glaucous colour.
Prevention against rot and pests
Watch out for root rot caused by excessive moisture: this is the main risk. Also beware of mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Ensure good ventilation, avoid stuffy atmospheres and treat with neem or soft soap at the first sign of trouble.
Did you know?
Cotyledon pendens is a botanical treasure from the extremely arid South African Karoo. Its English nickname 'Hung Crassula' or 'String of Hearts' evokes its graceful, trailing stems, prized by succulent collectors. In South Africa, it's sometimes called 'Keraslang'; its little red-orange tubular flowers are a precious pollen resource for pollinators in semi-desert regions.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.