Round-Leafed Navel-Wort Plant Info

  • Perennial
  • Hardiness: USDA zones 9 to 11
  • Full Grown Size: Up to 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in height, but usually stays around 0.6 m (2 ft)
  • Bloom Time: Summer to autumn, it can flower in winter too, depending on the variety and climate
  • Maintenance: Occasional trimming to remove dead or damaged leaves or stems. It may also need repotting every few years if grown in containers.

Round-leafed navel-wort is a succulent that comes in many forms and colors and grows in various habitats and climates. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are either round, oval, or elongated, and often have a red margin or a powdery coating. Its flowers are tubular and bell-shaped and hang in clusters from tall stalks, which can be orange, red, yellow, or pink. The blooms attract sunbirds and other pollinators too. Like most succulents, the plant is easy to grow and care for, and it can add volume to any garden.

Cotyledon orbiculata L.
Round-leafed navel-wort
Pig’s ear
Elk’s horn
Cotyledon
Plakkie
Cotyledon orbiculata var. orbiculata
Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii
Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga
Cotyledon orbiculata var. dactylopsis
Cotyledon orbiculata var. un
Orange, red, yellow, pink, or salmon blooms

Water

Water the plant moderately during spring to autumn and less during winter. Rule of thumb: water only when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Sunlight

Place the plant in full sun for at least 6 hours a day. It can tolerate partial shade, but not deep shade or prolonged darkness.

Soil

The succulent thrives in well-drained sandy or loamy soil. It can grow in poor or infertile soil as long as it has good drainage, with a pH of 6 to 8.

Fertilizer

The plant is not a heavy feeder, but it does benefit from a light application of a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season.

Pruning

The plant does not need much pruning as it has a natural shape and size that suits most gardens and containers. But you can trim it to remove dead or damaged leaves or stems, ideally in spring or summer.

Propagation

You can propagate the plant in spring or summer using one of the methods below:

Sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep them moist until germination.
Take the cuttings from healthy stems or leaves and plant them in a moist and sandy soil mix.
Divide the plant by separating it into smaller clumps and replanting them in fresh soil.

Thrives in

Indoor and outdoor, but mainly outdoors because it's fond of dry, sunny conditions with low humidity and moderate watering

Toxicity

The plant is toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Pests & Diseases

It may be affected by:
Mealybugs
Scale insects
Aphids
Spider mites
Root rot
Stem rot
Fungal diseases

Landscaping Ideas

Rock gardens
Xeriscaping
Containers
Bordering
Slopes

Last Updated: August 22, 2023

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Author

Nonkululeko
Nonkululeko
I'm an enthusiastic gardener. I learned the art of growing my own food using sustainable gardening techniques from my father, which I still find effective for healthy plant growth. Gardening has become one of my best hobbies ever since I realized its benefits beyond growing my own food. Through experimenting and connecting with nature, I've found gardening to be a therapeutic and relaxing practice.

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