Cotyledon Orbiculata ‘Pig Ear’

Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as Pig’s Ear Plant, is a striking, drought-tolerant succulent known for its fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves that are often edged with a red margin, especially when exposed to bright sunlight. The leaves can vary in shape and size, ranging from round to elongated. In summer or fall, it produces tall flower stalks with bell-shaped flowers in shades of orange-red or coral, which attract pollinators like hummingbirds.

USDA Grow Zones:

Zones 9-11 – Suitable for warm, dry climates. In cooler regions, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors during the winter.

Height and Width:

• Height: 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

• Width: 24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Light Requirements:

• Full sun to partial shade – Prefers at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.

• Indoors, place near a south- or west-facing window with bright, indirect light.

• Too much shade can cause leggy growth.

Watering:

• Drought-tolerant once established.

• Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

• Reduce watering during the winter dormancy period.

Soil:

• Requires well-draining soil—use a cactus or succulent mix.

• Add pumice or perlite to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Temperature & Humidity:

• Ideal temperature: 60-80°F (16-27°C).

• Protect from frost—not tolerant below 30°F (-1°C).

• Thrives in low humidity environments.

Uses:

• Rock gardens and xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance.

• Containers and pots—perfect for patios and balconies.

• Indoor plant in bright, sunny spots.

• Attractive in succulent arrangements and living walls.

Native Range:

Native to South Africa, particularly dry, rocky regions. Its natural habitat has made it highly adapted to arid climates.

Maintenance Tips:

• Prune spent flower stalks to maintain appearance.

• Propagate easily by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings—let cuttings callous over before planting.

• Feed with a diluted cactus fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer).

• Avoid overwatering—root rot is the most common issue.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.