Kermit Pig’s Ear

Kermit Pig's Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata var. macrantha 'Kermit') is a chunky green succulent that forms a low clump about 40cm tall and 50cm across. The paddle shaped leaves are thick and slightly waxy, and in the warmer months it lifts tall stems of orange to red bell flowers that honeyeaters work over. It is one of the easiest succulents to keep alive in a hot dry position.

Why you'll love it

• It thrives on neglect. Drought and heat tolerant, and far more likely to be killed by kindness with the watering can than by being forgotten.
• Flowers that bring birds in. Nodding orange to red bells on stems held well above the foliage, unusual for a plant this small.
• Year round structure. The rounded evergreen leaves hold their shape through winter, so a pot or a rockery never looks empty.
• Coastal proof. Salt tolerant enough for an exposed balcony or a beachside courtyard where most soft foliage burns.

Where it works best

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A shallow bowl or a 250mm to 300mm pot with a drainage hole suits it. Use a cactus and succulent mix, not standard potting mix.

Rockeries and coastal gardens. Perfect between rocks or on a dry sunny slope where the soil is thin and drains sharply.

Borders and edging. For a low succulent edge, set plants about 500mm apart, matching the mature spread, so the clumps meet without crowding.

Growing Kermit Pig's Ear in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to very light shade. It suits warm temperate, subtropical, arid and Mediterranean gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cold districts grow it in a pot and move it under eaves for winter.

Soil. Sharp drainage is the whole game. Gritty, sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. On clay, plant into a raised bed or a pot rather than fighting it.

Water and feed. Water deeply, then let the soil dry right through before the next drink, roughly every two to three weeks in summer and rarely in winter. A weak liquid feed once in spring is plenty.

Pruning. Cut the spent flower stems back to the base once the display is over. Remove any lower leaves that shrivel, and take cuttings from leggy stems to fill gaps.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: tube stock, and 140mm plants sold in a pack of ten. Tubes are small rooted cuttings, a season or two from filling a pot. The 140mm pack suits a rockery or a run of edging planted in one hit.

Succulents travel better than almost anything else, though a leaf or two may mark in transit and that is cosmetic. Leave the plant dry for a week after it arrives before the first water. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full succulent range
• Succulents chosen for hot dry gardens
• Choosing the right pot size and drainage

Common questions

Is it safe around pets?

No. Cotyledon contains cardiac glycosides and is toxic to cats, dogs and livestock if eaten. Keep it on a bench or out of reach if your animals chew plants, and do not plant it in a paddock.

How often should I water it?

Roughly every two to three weeks in summer and only occasionally through winter, always letting the mix dry right through in between. Soft, translucent or yellowing leaves mean too much water, not too little.

Will it survive frost?

Light frost only. An occasional light frost is survivable, but a hard or repeated frost turns the leaves to mush. In cold districts grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.

Can I grow it indoors?

Only in the brightest position you have, right against a north facing window. In average indoor light it stretches, loses its compact shape and stops flowering, so outdoors in sun is much better.