Velvet Cotyledon (Cotyledon velutina) Care Indoors, Propagation, Problems & Remedies

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Cotyledon velutina (Velvet Cotyledon) thrives in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season

Velvet Cotyledon also called Velvet Pig's Ears or Furry Pig's Ears is a branched succulent which bears round, gray-green leaves with reddish margins towards the apex.

Velvet Pig's Ears Plant leaves occur in opposite pairs along the stem and have a velvety feel, hence, the common name, 'Velvety Cotyledon'. The species name, 'velutina', is in reference to the velvety surface of the leaves.

Botanical name: Cotyledon velutina
Synonyms: Cotyledon beckeri, Cotyledon mollis
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Velvet Cotyledon, Velvet Pig's Ears, Furry Pig's Ears

Origin

Cotyledon velutina also called Cotyledon beckeri or Cotyledon mollis is native to South Africa in Eastern Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal where it is found growing in stony areas in arid areas.

Size

Velvet Pig's Ears can grow to a height of 10 feet and a spread of about 2-3 feet.

Flowers

Velvet Cotyledon Succulent blooms in mid-summer with large, orange-red, tubular flowers which are borne in clusters above the foliage on 2 feet stalks. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

Is Cotyledon velutina poisonous?

Yes. Cotyledon velutina 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

Velvet Pig's Ears Plant is closely related to the following plants which are also beautiful plants for the home.

1. Cotyledon undulata (Silver Crown Plant)

2. Cotyledon campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon)

3. Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon)

4. Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear's Paw Succulent)

5. Cotyledon orbiculata (Pig's Ear Plant)

How to Care for Cotyledon velutina Indoors

To care for Cotyledon velutina indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Velvet Cotyledon repotting is only needed when it becomes 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 achieve them.

Watering

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

Water Cotyledon velutina liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Take care not to overwater to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Lessen watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time, thus, the plant does not need a lot of water for growth. However, do not leave the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

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

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death 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

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

If the light is not adequate, the plant can become leggy with wide spaces between leaf nodes and undersized leaves. It can also lead to leaf drop. You may use a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent leggy growth.

Velvet 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 velutina prefers a warmth of 16-25⁰C in spring and summer with a minimum of 10⁰C in fall and winter.

Keep it away from drafts coming from windy doors and windows, AC units, hot surfaces, stoves among others as prolonged exposure can cause stunted growth, leaf drop and death of the plant.

Velvet Cotyledon has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Do not mist the plant and maintain good air circulation to discourage fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventillated conditions.

Fertilizer

Feed Cotyledon velutina 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 reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

To flush out excess salts, regularly run a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Repeat the process several times to get rid of most of the salts.

Potting Mix

Cotyledon velutina soil should be coarse, low in organic matter and one that drains fast 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 the plant.

Repotting

Repot Cotyledon velutina at the beginning of the growing season (spring and early summer), only when pot-bound or when the potting medium has completely broken down. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess moisture.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot and eventual loss of the plant. Use a clay pot instead of 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 terracotta pots on Amazon.

Ascertain that the soil is dry before repotting. Take the plant out of 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 in. unfilled for watering purposes.

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

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning Cotyledon velutina 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.

Clean the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations

Cotyledon velutina Propagation

Cotyledon velutina propagation is done from stem cuttings and leaf cuttings at the beginning of the growing season when in active growth phase to encourage faster establishment.

1. Velvet Cotyledon propagation 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. Velvet Cotyledon propagation 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 velutina Problems & Solutions

Velvet Cotyledon problems are leaf drop, leggy growth, yellow leaves, wilted & droopy leaves, pests, diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Cotyledon velutina is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, drafts, use of cold water, nutrients deficiency, pest infestations, excessive touch 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 sources of 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 direct 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 4 weeks 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.

Excessive touch: Keep the plant away from the line of traffic and avoid unnecessarily moving it around and take care when moving it.

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

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Cotyledon velutina are too little light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, drafts, 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.

Drafts: 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.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Cotyledon velutina is caused by too little light, nutrients deficiency or underwatering.

How t fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Underwatering: Maintain the soil moderately moist in spring and summer and slightly moist in fall and winter. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Wilted & droopy leaves

Wilted and droopy leaves on Cotyledon velutina are caused by underwatering, soggy soil, drafts or pest infestations.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

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

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

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

Pests

Common pests on Cotyledon velutina are scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites which are common in dry,stuffy conditions.

How to fix it

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


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' directions on the labels.


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


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

Diseases

Cotyledon velutina is prone to powdery mildew which presents as a white powdery deposit on the leaves. 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 a well-draing soil to prevent it from getting soggy.

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