Cliff Cotyledon (Cotyledon pendens) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
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Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon Succulent) flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Cliff Cotyledon is a trailing, multi-branched succulent with thick stems which are packed with short, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and covered with a powdery grey coat.
The leaves occur in opposite bears along the stem and have a reddish tinge at the tips in bright light or sunshine. The thick stems start off upright but begin to trail at the weight of the leaves and bend downwards, hence, the species name, 'pendens'.
Botanical name: Cotyledon pendens
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Cliff Cotyledon Succulent, Cliff Cotyledon pendens
Origin
Cotyledon pendens is native to South Africa along Bashe River in Eastern Cape where it is found hanging down sheer cliffs faces in summer, hence, the common name, 'Cliff Cotyledon'.
Size
Cliff Cotyledon Succulent bears trailing stems of about 2 feet long which makes it perfect for the limited spaces in the home, office and other places.
Flowers
Cliff Cotyledon flowers in mid-summer with large, orange-red, bell-shaped flowers which are borne at the end of the trailing stems.
Toxicity
Cotyledon pendens 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
Cliff Cotyledon 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 campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon)
4. Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear's Paw Succulent)
5. Cotyledon velutina (Velvet Cotyledon)
Where to Buy
Would you like to add Cliff Cotyledon pendens to your plant collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Cotyledon pendens Care Indoors
Cotyledon pendens blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Cliff Cotyledon care requires repotting to be done 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, Cliff Cotyledon hates overwatering and soggy soil. It is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method. Water your Cotyledon pendens liberally during the growing season until water comes out through the drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Decrease watering in the cold period as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need a lot of water for growth. Only use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid plant shock as it can result in leaf drop and reduced growth.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent the plant from sitting in soggy soil as it 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 pendens 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 adequate, the plant can become leggy with wide spaces between leaf nodes and undersized leaves. It can also lead to leaf drop (falling leaves).
Therefore, you may grow the plant under grow lights where the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent legginiess.
Cliff 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 and Humidity
Cotyledon pendens requires an average warmth of 15-260C during the growing season and a minimum of 100C in the cold season. Keep it away from frost and cold drafts like windy doors and windows, air conditioning units among others as prolonged exposure can cause leaf drop and the death of the plant.
Cliff Cotyledon Succulent has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Clean the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Make sure that there is good air circulation and do not mist it to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventillated conditions.
Feeding
Feed your Cotyledon pendens monthly during the growing season with a cactus and succulents fertilizer to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Potting Mix
Cliff Cotyledon 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. Cactus and succulents soils are good for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Cotyledon pendens at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become 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.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot. 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 available on Amazon.
Ascertain that the soil is dry before repotting. Slip 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 inch 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.
Pruning
Pruning Cliff Cotyledon Succulent 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.
Cut back 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.
Propagation
Cotyledon pendens propagation can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings and leaf cuttings.
Cliff Cotyledon propagation from stem cuttings
Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Cotyledon pendens and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.
Once callused, insert the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in moist, fast-draining, rooting soil.
Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight and ensure that there is good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.
Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings have rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.
Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plants after which routine care can begin.
Cliff Cotyledon propagation from leaf cuttings
Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy Cotyledon pendens. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.
When calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moist, fast-draining, rooting mix while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.
Postion the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaf cuttings.
Maintain the soil slightly moist through out. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
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.
Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new plants into its own pot after which routine care can begin.
Cotyledon pendens Problems
Cliff Cotyledon problems include falling leaves (leaf drop), leggy growth, yellowing leaves, wilting and droopy leaves, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Falling leaves (leaf drop)
Cotyledon pendens falling leaves are due to a number of reasons. If accompanied by mushy stems the cause is overwatering or soggy soil which results in too much water in the soil. Take care not to overwater this succulent by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings and ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
The second reason for falling leaves in Cliff Cotyledon is underwatering if the leaves are shrivelled (wrinkled) and droopy. Water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.
The third reason for falling leaves in Cliff Cotyledon Succulent is too little light. Ensure that the plant is receiving bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The fourth reason for falling leaves in Cliff Cotyledon Pendens is too low temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the plant away from windy windows and doors, air conditions units among others. Maintain an average warmth of of 15-260C. Take a look at this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The fifth reason for falling leaves in Cotyledon pendens is watering the plant with too cold water which causes plant shock. Use only water that is at room temperature to water this tropical succulent plant to prevent plant shock.
The sixth reason for falling leaves in Cliff Cotyledon is due to excessive touch or moving the plant too much. Keep the plant away from the line of traffic and avoid unnecessarily moving it around and take care when moving it.
The seventh reason for falling leaves in Cliff Cotyledon Succulent is pest infestations. The plant is prone to sap-sucking pests like scale insects, spider mites and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of plants and treat it appropriately to get rid of these pests.
Diseases
Cotyledon pendens is prone to powdery mildew which is prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation and is characterized by spotting or coating of the leaf surface with a white powdery deposit.
Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants and treat it with horticultural oil. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant.
Water the Cliff Cotyledon from the bottom to avoid wetting the foliage and always allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Do not let the plant sit in soggy soil; always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.
Brown soft leaf spots
Brown soft leaf spots in Cotyledon pendens are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overdamp conditions. Better the ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation at all times. Water the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
Pests
Common pests in Cotyledon pendens are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants. Spray the plant with an insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Leggy stems and undersized leaves
Leggy stems and undersized leaves in Cotyledon pendens is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season.
Lessen watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.
The second possible reason for leggy stems and undersized leaves in Cliff Cotyledon Succulent is too little light during the growing season. Place the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Wilted (wrinkled) and drooping leaves
Wilted (wrinkled) and drooping leaves in Cotyledon pendens are caused by underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. If the plant cannot get enough water to take up to the leaves which loss their turgidity and begin to wilt.
To prevent wilting and wrinkled leaves, water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time.
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