How to Propagate Pig's Ear Succulent | 4 Ways of Cotyledon orbiculata Propagation

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Pig's Ear Plant (Cotyledon orbiculata) best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or from leaf cuttings.

The stem-tip cuttings and leaf cuttings can be successfully rooted either in water or in soil. We have outlined herein below how to do so. Keep reading for more on Pig's Ears propagation methods.

Cotyledon orbiculata also called Round-leafed Navel-wort, Silver Pig's Ears or Round-leafed Cotyledon bears succulent leaves whose shape resemble a pig's ear and hence the common name, 'Pig's Ear'.

Pig's Ear Succulent, Cotyledon orbiculata

The leaves are grey-green in color and are covered with a white powdery substance which helps them to reflect light and allows them to conserve water.

Toxicity

The Pig's Ear succulent leaves contain cotyledontoxin which is toxic to sheep, goats, horses, cattle, poultry and dogs as indicated by journals.co.za.

If ingested it causes a condition called cotyledonosis. Keep the plant out of the reach of animals and always wash your hands after handling the plant.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Round-leafed Navel-wort to your plant collection, you may obtain these plants online from Etsy.

Buy Pig's Ears Plant from Etsy

1. How to propagate Pig's Ear Succulent from stem-tip cuttings in water

Take a stem-tip cutting of about 2-4 in. long from a healthy Pig's Ear Plant. Ensure it has 2 or 3 leaf nodes. Strip off the lower leaves.

Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.

Once callussed, dip the lower cut end of the stem-tip cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Place the stem-tip cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station while ensuring that the leaves are not in contact with the water.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.

When a good amount of roots have formed on the cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, quality Cactus and Succulents Soil.

Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.

Transfer the new Silver Pig's Ears into one size larger pots, preferably clay pots as they are porous and will not hold excess moisture.

At this point you can begin Pig's Ear Plant routine care as indicated here below.

2. How to propagate Pig's Ear Succulent from stem-tip cuttings in soil

Take a stem-tip cutting of about 2-4 in. long from a healthy Pig's Ear Plant. Ensure it has 2 or 3 leaf nodes. Strip off the lower leaves.

Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.

Once callussed, dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Select a small pot about 6-8 inches wide. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the rooting container with quality Cactus and Succulents Soil. Moisten the soil lightly.

With a pencil or similar object make a hole in the moist rooting mix. Insert the cutting in the previously made hole. Lightly cover the base of the cutting with the rooting mix.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and water sparingly, only when the soil is dry.

Round-leafed Cotyledon cuttings should root in about 3-4 weeks. Allow the new plant to be well established after which you can begin routine care as outlined herebelow.

3. How to propagate Pig's Ear Succulent from leaf cuttings in water

Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Pig's Ear Plant. Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days.

Once callussed, dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station while ensuring that the leaf blades are not in contact with the water.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.

When a good amount of roots have formed at the base of leaf cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, quality Cactus and Succulents Soil.

Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.

Transfer the new Silver Pig's Ears into one size larger pots, preferably clay pots as they are porous and will not hold excess moisture. You can begin routine care for the new plants.

4. How to propagate Pig's Ear Succulent from leaf cuttings in soil

Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Pig's Ear Succulent. Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days.

Once callussed, dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Lay the leaves on moist Succulents Soil and do not allow the cut end to touch the soil to prevent rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out by light misting.

Roots from the cut end of the leaf will grow into the moist soil and soon after, new plants will develop at the base of the leaf.

Carefully lift the new plants and pot in individual small clay pots while taking care not to damage the delicate roots.

Maintain the soil slightly moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

Pig's Ear Succulent Indoor Care

Light Requirements

Pig's Ear Plant grows best in very bright light to full sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

If you choose to grow the Silver Pig's Ears Succulent outdoors, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves.

Watering

Water Pig's Ear Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy to avoid root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Avoid wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting. Water from the bottom instead. Use room temperature water for Round-leafed Navel-wort to avoid shocking the tropical plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 16-26⁰C is ideal for Pig's Ear Plant. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent plant.

It has no need for high humidity. Moderate room humidity is adequate for Pig's Ear Plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Pig's Ear Plant monthly during the growing period with a balanced, liquid fertilizer. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

Ocassionally, flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times.

Potting Mix

The best potting medium for Pig's Ear Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.

Most Cactus and Succulents mix are ideal for Cotyledon orbiculata. Buy Cactus and Succulents Soil from Amazon.

Repotting

Repot Pig's Ear Succulent only when it is pot-bound. Use a shallow rather than a deep pot as they have shallow roots. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.

A clay pot is preferable for Silver Pig's Ears Plant because it is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster. Take a look at these Clay (Terracotta) pots available on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Pig's Ear Plant requires the removal of dead and diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pests and diseases. Remove dead flowers to keep the plant tidy.