Bell-flowered Cotyledon (Cotyledon campanulata) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems

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Cotyledon campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon) flourishes in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and loose, fast-draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Cotyledon campanulata also called Wonderful Bells Cotyledon is a small, succulent shrub with elongated, upright, fleshy, light-green, finger-like leaves which are covered with fine hairs.

Bell-flowered Cotyledon leaves are borne on a thick, woody stem in a rosette pattern. They have a serrated margin and they turn red at the tips in bright light.

Botanical name: Cotyledon campanulata
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Bell-flowered Cotyledon, Wonderful Bells Cotyledon

Origin

Cotyledon campanulata is native to South Africa in Eastern Cape where it is found growing in clumps in arid areas.

Size

Wonderful Bells Cotyledon can grow to a height of 1 ft and a spread of about 1 ft.

Flowers

Cotyledon campanulata blooms in late spring to early summer with yellow, bell-shaped, pendulous flowers which are borne on a stem at the center of the rosette.

This characteristic of bell-shaped flowers gives this plant the common names, 'Bell-flowered Cotyledon' and 'Wonderful Bells Cotyledon'. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Is Cotyledon campanulata toxic?

Yes. Cotyledon campanulata like other Cotyledon plants is considered toxic to both humans and pets. As outlined by Wikipedia, some plants in the Cotyledon Genus have been found to cause stock losses among goats, pigs and poultry.

Related Plants

Cotyledon campanulata is closely related to the following plants which are also great plants for the home.

1. Cotyledon undulata (Silver Crown Plant)

2. Cotyledon orbiculata (Pig's Ear Plant)

3. Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon)

4. Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear's Paw Succulent)

5. Cotyledon velutina (Velvet Cotyledon)

How to Care for Cotyledon campanulata Indoors

To care for Cotyledon campanulata indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours direct sunshine, warmth of 16-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and loose, fast-draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Bell-flowered Cotyledon repotting is only needed when pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to control growth and to minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

How do you water Bell-flowered Cotyledon?

Like all succulents, Bell-flowered Cotyledon does not like overwatering and soggy soil. It is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method.

Water your Cotyledon campanulata deeply in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering as it can result in rotting, yellowing, leaf drop and death of the plant.

Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time, thus, the plant does not need much water for growth. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Only use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock as it can result in reduced growth and leaf drop. Use chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent browning of the leaves.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can result in rotting and loss of the plant.

Take care not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead. Always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.

Light Requirements

Does Cotyledon campanulata like direct sunlight?

Yes. Cotyledon campanulata requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. Keep it away or shield it from hot direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

If the light is not enough, the plant will become leggy with small yellow leaves and may drop its leaves. Therefore, you may use full spectrum grow lights where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

Bell-flowered Cotyledon Succulent can be grown outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place first to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Temperature & Humidity

Cotyledon campanulata requires a warmth of 16-25⁰C during the growing season and a minimum of 10⁰C in the cold season.

Keep it away from frost and sources of drafts like windy doors and windows, AC units, hot air vents, hot surfaces, stoves among others to prevent stunted growth, leaf drop and eventual death of the plant.

Bell-flowered Cotyledon thrives in a humidity of 50-55%; it has no need for extra humidity. Maintain good air circulation and do not mist the plant to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventillated conditions.

Fertilizer

Feed Cotyledon campanulata monthly in spring and summer with a cactus and succulents fertilizer to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can result in fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Once in a while flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and allow it to run for about 5-10 minutes.

Potting Mix

The best potting mix for Cotyledon campanulata should be coarse, low in organic matter and easy-draining to prevent it from holding excess water. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out quickly. Most Cactus and succulents soils are ideal for Bell-flowered Cotyledon.

Repotting

Repot Cotyledon campanulata at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound or when the potting medium has completely broken down.

Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess moisture. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can result in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Select a clay pot rather than a plastic or ceramic pot as a clay pot is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster to keep it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these clay (terracotta) pots on Amazon.

Ensure that the soil is dry before repotting. Remove the plant from its pot and brush off soil from the roots. Snip off any dead or dry roots and treat the wounds with a fungicidal solution.

Place the plant in the center of its new pot and back fill with fresh, loose, fast-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot.

Do not fill the pot completely but allow a space of about 1 inch unfilled for watering purposes.

Put back the plant to its display position and keep it dry for about 5-7 days to minimize the risk of rot-root disease.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Cotyledon campanulata involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Cutback the stems if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth and encourage a compact, bushy growth. Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries to discourage fungal disease infestations.

Regularly clean the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Cotyledon campanulata Propagation

Cotyledon campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon) is propagated from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings at the beginning of the growing season when in active growth.

1. How to propagate Cotyledon campanulata from stem cuttings

1. Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


2. Fill a small pot with a fast-draining soil and moisten it slightly. Use a pot with a drainage hole to avoid rotting.


3. Once callused, insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in the moist soil.


4. Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Ensure good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.


6. Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings have rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.


7. Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plant into a pot one size larger after which you can begin routine care.

2. How to propagate Cotyledon campanulata from leaf cuttings

1. Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy plant. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


2. Fill a rooting container with a fast-draining soil and wet it slightly. Ensure the container has a drainage hole to avoid rotting.


3. When calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moistsoil while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.


4. Postion the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaf cuttings.


5. Maintain the soil slightly moist through out and ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.


6. With time, the leaf cutting will form roots and eventually a small rosette will form at the base of the leaf cutting. This may take from 4-6 weeks.


7. Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new plant into its own pot after which you can begin routine care.

Cotyledon campanulata Problems & Solutions

Cotyledon campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon) problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, wilting & drooping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Cotyledon campanulata are too little light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, extreme temperatures, nutrients deficiency or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors and others.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant monthly in spring and summer with a cactus and succulents fertilizer.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually die.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Cotyledon campanulata is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, drafts, use of cold water, nutrients deficiency, pest infestation or aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil-ball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents among others.

Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every month in spring and summer.

Use of cold water: Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock.

Pest infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually fall off.

Wilting & drooping leaves

Wilting & drooping leaves on Cotyledon campanulata are caused by underwatering, soggy soil, pest infestations, or drafts.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Pest infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents among others.

Pests

Common pests on Cotyledon campanulata are scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites which are prevalent on weak plants and in dry, stuffy conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.


3. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned and increase humidity to depress the pest infestations.

Diseases

Cotyledon campanulata is prone to the following diseases:

1. Powdery mildew is characterized by spotting or coating of the leaf surface with a white powdery deposit. It is prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant.


4. Water from the bottom to avoid wetting the foliage.


5. Use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

2. Leaf spot disease which is characterized by brown leaf spots. It is prevalent in poorly aerated, overdamp conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with a neem oil to depress the infestation.


3. Improve air flow to discourage the disease.


4. Water from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.

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