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Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon) thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, well-drained 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
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'.
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.
Cliff Cotyledon flowers in mid-summer with large, orange-red, bell-shaped flowers which are borne at the end of the trailing stems.
Cotyledon pendens like other Cotyledon plants are 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.
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)
Would you like to add Cliff Cotyledon pendens to your plant collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
To care for Cotyledon pendens indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, loose, well-drained 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.
Cotyledon pendens is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method. Water liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Like all succulents, Cliff Cotyledon hates overwatering and soggy soil which can result in rotting and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need a lot of water for growth. However, do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wrinkled leaves and leaf drop.
Only use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock which can result in reduced growth and leaf drop.
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.
Cotyledon pendens likes bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late 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 (falling leaves). Therefore, use grow lights 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 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.
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. 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.
Feed your Cotyledon pendens with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer 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.
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.
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.
Pruning Cliff Cotyledon Succulent involves:
Clean the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pests and diseases infestations.
Cotyledon pendens is best propagated from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when it is in active growth.
Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon) problems are falling leaves, yellowing leaves, leggy growth, wrinkled and droopy leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Your Cotyledon pendens leaves are falling off due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, temperature stress, cold water, excessive touching or movement, and pests infestation.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is loose and free-draining.
Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from windy windows and doors, air conditions units, stoves, hot air vents among others. Maintain a warmth of of 15-260C.
Cold water: Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
Excessive touching or movement: Keep the plant away from the line of traffic and avoid unnecessarily moving it around and take care when moving it.
Pests infestation: Regularly check between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Cotyledon pendens are overwatering, soggy soil, temperature stress, too little light, too much sunlight, and nutrient deficiency.
Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule. Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining potting soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from hot surfaces, hot air vents, AC units, windy doors among others.
Too little light: Put the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Too much sunlight: Position the plant away from too much sunshine or instal a sheer curtain to filter it.
Nutrient deficiency: Apply a succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Leggy stems on Cotyledon pendens are caused by overwatering, soggy soil, and too little light.
Overwatering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that drains easily.
Too little light: Place the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Wrinkled and drooping leaves on Cotyledon pendens are caused by underwatering, hot drafts, and hot sunshine.
Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time.
Hot drafts: Keep the plant away from hot drafts emanating from stoves, hot air vents and other heat sources.
Hot sunshine: Place the plant away from hot direct sunshine or use a light curtain to filter the sunlight.
Common pests on Cotyledon pendens are scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites.
Cotyledon pendens is prone to the following two diseases:
1. Powdery mildew which is prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It is characterized by spotting or coating of the leaf surface with a white powdery deposit.
2. Leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overdamp conditions. It presents as brown, soft leaf spots.
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