Cliff Cotyledon

Cliff Cotyledon (Cotyledon pendens) is a small trailing succulent with fat, round green leaves tipped in light red. It stays about 5cm high and trails up to 60cm, and it is rare in its native home on the sea cliffs of South Africa. It copes with poor soils, sea spray and breezes, which makes it an easy starter plant.

Why you'll love it

• Fat, round leaves. The chubby green leaves are edged in light red, with the colour changing by season and position.
• Surprise flowers. Mature, happy plants carry curled, bell-shaped orange-red flowers on the stem tips in spring and summer.
• Forgives forgetful watering. It is hardy and very drought tolerant once established, so a missed watering does no harm.
• Handles the coast. It copes with sea spray, wind and poor, rocky or sandy soil.
• Trails beautifully. The stems cascade over a pot or rock, which shows off the leaf shape.

Where it works best

Hanging pots. A hanging pot gives the stems room to cascade, and it keeps the plant drier than a bed does.

Rockeries. Tuck it into the crevices of a sunny rockery. Plant 30cm apart for a trailing carpet.

Indoors and coastal gardens. It does well on a bright windowsill, and it suits exposed coastal spots where little else will settle.

Growing Cliff Cotyledon in Australia

Position and climate. Bright sunlight. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate, subtropical and arid gardens, but it must be kept frost free. In cold regions, grow it in a pot that you can bring under cover.

Soil. Free-draining, gritty soil. It is very happy in rocky or sandy ground and exposed locations.

Water and feed. Water sparingly when the soil is dry to the touch, and reduce watering in winter when temperatures drop. In the growing seasons, feed with a slow release food for container plants.

Pruning. No pruning needed. Some plants are summer dormant and lose their leaves in the warmest months, which is normal for that form.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Cliff Cotyledon as tube stock and 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and the 140mm pots in packs of 10 carry more trailing growth. Water it in well, then let it dry out between drinks.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are 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

• Succulents for sunny spots
• Rockery plants
• Succulent care tips
• Plants for balconies

Common questions

Why has it lost its leaves in summer?

There are two forms of Cotyledon pendens. The evergreen type grows in summer, and the deciduous type grows in winter and loses its leaves in summer. Leaf loss in the heat can simply be that form resting.

Can I grow it outside?

Yes, in free-draining soil and bright sun, including in exposed coastal spots. Keep it frost free, and grow it in a pot if your winters are cold.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Cotyledons contain compounds that can harm pets if eaten, so grow it out of reach of chewing cats and dogs.