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    Home»Succulents and Cacti»Cotyledon Orbiculata Var. Oblonga ‘Macrantha’: Growing and Care Guide

    Cotyledon Orbiculata Var. Oblonga ‘Macrantha’: Growing and Care Guide

    By Milo MasonOctober 30, 2022
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    Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ is a beautiful and easy-to-grow succulent plant. It makes a great gift for the novice gardener or can be added to your collection of plants.

    Cotyledon Orbiculata Var. Oblonga 'Macrantha' Groundcover
    Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ groundcover (“191221 113 San Diego Balboa Park – Rose Garden, Cotyledon orbiculata var oblonga ‘Macrantha’, Agave americana” by cultivar413 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)

    This guide will teach you the proper way to care for this plant and make it thrive in your home or garden.

    in this article:

    • care
    • pruning
    • repotting
    • propagation
    • blooms
    • pests
    • common-problems

    About Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’

    Commonly called Cotyledon macrantha, the Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ is an evergreen succulent. It is native to South Africa along with its progenitor, the Cotyledon orbiculata (Pig’s Ear Plant).

    Like the Pig’s Ear Plant, the Cotyledon macrantha has large, flat, paddle-shaped leaves tinged with red around the borders. These leaves are succulent and lie almost completely flat.

    A strong central trunk props multiple branches bearing these paddle leaves. When fully grown, this plant can reach about 3 feet high.

    Related Article: Types of Echeveria: Varieties, IDs, and Photos

    Botanical NameCotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’
    Common NamePig’s Ear Plant
    FamilyCrassulaceae
    Plant TypeSucculent
    OriginSouth Africa
    MaintenanceLow
    Height2-3 feet
    Width2-3 feet
    LightFull sun, Partial shade
    Bloom seasonWinter, Spring
    Bloom colorCoral, Red
    Water needsLow
    SoilWell-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
    TolerantDrought
    Toxicitynon-toxic
    Hardiness (USDA)9-12

    Cotyledon macrantha Care

    The Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ is easy to care for as long as you fulfill its basic care needs. It is a tolerant plant that doesn’t mind a little bit of neglect here and there.

    Light

    The Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ will do well in a brightly lit location with dappled sunlight or indirect light. If you want the leaves to be more red than green, place it near a south-facing window.

    It can tolerate both full sun and light shade.

    Soil

    Cotyledon macrantha prefers soil that is well-draining and slightly acidic. If your soil tends to be heavy, add some inorganic matter to lighten it up. You can also use a potting mix specifically designed for succulents and cacti.

    Water

    Cotyledon macrantha is a water-hungry succulent and will appreciate a good soak in the summer months. It needs regular watering and consistently moist soil.

    Reduce watering in winter, but don’t let the soil completely dry up. You want the soil to always be slightly moist.

    Temperature and Humidity

    Cotyledon macrantha is a succulent that prefers the warm. The ideal temperature range for this Cotyledon is between 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

    It appreciates low humidity and will not thrive in moisture-rich environments.

    Fertilizer

    Cotyledon macrantha is a succulent that requires very little fertilizer. However, you can use some mild fertilizer to speed up the growth process if given in small doses.

    The optimal time to fertilize is in the fall when new growth begins. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength and water well after application.

    Cotyledon Orbiculata Var. Oblonga 'Macrantha' Cheat Sheet
    Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ cheat sheet (“200202 142 San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Encinitas CA – Old World Succulent Garden, Cotyledon orbiculata var oblonga ‘Macrantha’ Pig’s Ear, Cotyledon orbiculata ‘Silver Dollar’” by cultivar413 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)

    Pruning

    Cotyledon macrantha is a succulent that requires very little pruning. However, if you wish to keep it small, prune off any new growth that appears after the plant has reached maturity.

    Potting and Repotting Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’

    Cotyledon macrantha is a succulent that requires rarely requires repotting after becoming established. It will grow well in the same container for many years, which makes it a good choice for indoor plants.

    However, it’s time for a new pot when the roots start to overgrow the container.

    The right time to repot is during the spring when new growth begins.

    Prepare

    • Prepare the pot. Choose a large pot and make sure it has drainage holes. If it does not, drill some into the bottom before you begin.
    • Prepare the soil. Use a fast-draining soil mix such as one composed of 2 parts coarse sand, 1 part perlite, and 1 part peat moss.
    • Choose the spot. Place the plant in an area that gets a lot of light but not direct sunlight.
    • Gather the tools. You will need a trowel, garden gloves, a pair of scissors, and a bucket to hold all the soil.

    How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

    1. Remove the plant from its pot. Remove any soil clinging to the roots by gently shaking them back and forth.
    2. Fill in the new pot with the preselected soil and place the plant in it.
    3. Gently firm the soil around the roots and water them thoroughly with room-temperature water.

    Propagating Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ by Offsets (Step-by-Step)

    Cotyledon macrantha gives off plenty of offsets throughout its lifecycle. These are miniature copies of the parent plant that emerge from around the base of the plant and have their very own root system. So you can begin treating them as individual plants as you divide them and replant them in a new pot.

    1. Remove the offsets from the mother plant using a sharp knife or pruning shears.
    2. Allow the cut end of the offset to heal and callus over.
    3. Fill a new pot with a well-draining soil mix.
    4. Place the callused end of the offset at the soil surface and gently pack it down. Water well.
    5. Continue to water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
    6. You will see new growth emerge from the offset in a few weeks.

    Related: Panda Plant (Kalanchoe Tomentosa) Care Guide

    Blooms

    Flowers are borne on a tall stalk that rises from within a cluster of leaves, usually about 2 feet tall. This stalk usually only appears after winter and lasts all the way through spring.

    Flowers are bell-shaped, coral to red, and appear in clusters at the apex of the flowering stalk.

    Cotyledon Orbiculata Var. Oblonga 'Macrantha' In The Background
    Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ in the background (“191221 114 San Diego Balboa Park – Rose Garden, Agave americana, Cotyledon orbiculata var oblonga ‘Macrantha’” by cultivar413 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)

    Toxicity

    Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ is non-toxic. However, there have been reports of livestock getting sick after overeating it. Keep away from pets.

    NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.

    Common Pests

    Mealybugs

    This succulent is susceptible to mealybugs. Mealybugs are small insects that can infest various succulents and cause damage by sucking the sap from the plant’s leaves. In order to prevent mealybug infestations, try spraying your plants with a mixture of soap and water regularly.

    Vine Weevil

    The vine weevil is a small black beetle with a long snout and red eyes. It lays its eggs in the stems of plants, which hatch into larvae that eat their way through the leaves. So if you see holes in your plant’s leaves, this could be evidence of vine weevil activity.

    Aphids

    Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects found on the undersides of leaves. They have pear-shaped bodies with long legs and antennae. Aphids suck sap from plants and excrete a sugary substance that attracts ants, compounding the problem.

    AVOID

    • Overwatering
    • Placing under harsh sunlight
    • Using poorly drained potting mediums
    • Fertilizing during dormancy

    Common Problems

    • Overfertilization: Overfertilizing your plant can cause root burn, which is when the roots of your plant stop absorbing water and nutrients because they are saturated with chemicals. This leads to the death of the plant.
    • Overwatering: Overwatering is the most common problem that causes houseplant death. Too much water can result in different fungal diseases, most notably root rot.
    • Sunburn: Plants in direct sunlight can get burned, leading to brown leaves and death. Move your plant to a shadier location to prevent this from happening.

    FAQ

    Pig ear succulents are very easy to care for. They thrive in warm environments and prefer well-drained soil. Water well in summer and less so in the winter.

    The pig ear plant is not poisonous. However, there have been known cases of livestock getting sick from eating too much of this plant.

    Pig’s ears need regular watering. In the summer, water every two to three days. You can reduce watering significantly in fall and winter. Be sure that your pig ear plant’s soil is moist when you water it, but not soaking wet or dry.

    1. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. ASPCA
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    Milo Mason

    Milo Mason is a self-proclaimed plant whisperer. With a passion for gardening, houseplants, and all things outdoors, Milo has been cultivating indoor plants for the past five years with an interest in perennials and succulents. He enjoys sharing his insights and research on plant species when it comes to care tips.

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