How to Grow and Care for Cliff Cotyledon (Cotyledon pendens) Indoors
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Botanical name: Cotyledon pendens
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Cliff Cotyledon
Description
Cotyledon pendens commonly called 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.
Cliff Cotyledon 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'.
Flowers
Cliff Cotyledon Succulent blooms in mid-summer with large, orange-red, bell-shaped flowers which are borne at the end of the trailing stems.
Size
Cliff Cotyledon bears trailing stems of about 2 ft long.
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'.
Where to Buy
Cliff Cotyledon are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Cliff Cotyledon (Cotyledon pendens) online from Etsy.
Cotyledon pendens Care Indoors
Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon) thrives in bright light with direct sunlight of at least 4-6 hours, average warmth and loose, fast-draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Cliff Cotyledon has no need for high humidity. 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.
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.
It can be grown outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place first to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
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.
Cliff Cotyledon Succulent can also be grown under a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Watering
Like all succulents, Cliff Cotyledon hates overwatering and soggy soil. It is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method.
Water 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 Cotyledon pendens 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 and always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.
Temperature
Cotyledon pendens requires an average warmth between 15-260C during the growing season and a minimum of 100C in the cold season.
Keep the Cliff Cotyledon 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.
Humidity
Cotyledon pendens has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity 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 for the Cliff Cotyledon and do not mist it to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventillated conditions.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Cotyledon pendens monthly during the growing season with a Cactus and Succulents Fertilizer to promote a lush growth.
Do not feed the Cliff Cotyledon in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot 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 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.
Ascertain that the soil is dry before repotting. Take the Cotyledon pendens 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.
Soil
The best soil for Cotyledon pendens 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 like these Cactus and Succulents Mixes available online at Etsy are ideal for the Cliff Cotyledon.
Pruning
Pruning Cotyledon pendens 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 (Cliff Cotyledon) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings and leaf cuttings.
How to propagate Cotyledon pendens from stem cuttings
Take 3-5 in. 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 Cliff Cotyledon after which routine care can begin.
How to propagate Cotyledon pendens 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 Cliff Cotyledon into its own pot after which routine care can begin.
Cotyledon pendens Problems Indoors
Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon) problems indoors include 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.
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.
Significantly, lessen watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water.
In addition, 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 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.
Dropping leaves
Dropping leaves in Cotyledon pendens 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 leaf drop 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.
The third reason for leaf drop in Cliff Cotyledon 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 a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
The fourth reason for leaf drop in Cliff Cotyledon is too low temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the plant away from windy windows and doors, air conditions units among others.
The fifth reason for leaf drop in Cliff Cotyledon 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 leaf drop 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 leaf drop in Cliff Cotyledon is pest infestations. The plant is prone to sap-sucking pests like scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants and treat it with appropriate products to get rid of these pests.
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. Therefore, 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.
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. Also, water the Cliff Cotyledon from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
Diseases
Cotyledon pendens is also 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 Neem 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.
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 cover the entire plant.
Is Cotyledon pendens toxic?
Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon) 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.
