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.
This guide will teach you the proper way to care for this plant and make it thrive in your home or garden.
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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.
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| Botanical Name | Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga ‘Macrantha’ |
| Common Name | Pig’s Ear Plant |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Width | 2-3 feet |
| Light | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Bloom season | Winter, Spring |
| Bloom color | Coral, Red |
| Water needs | Low |
| Soil | Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy |
| Tolerant | Drought |
| Toxicity | non-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.
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
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its pot. Remove any soil clinging to the roots by gently shaking them back and forth.
- Fill in the new pot with the preselected soil and place the plant in it.
- 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.
- Remove the offsets from the mother plant using a sharp knife or pruning shears.
- Allow the cut end of the offset to heal and callus over.
- Fill a new pot with a well-draining soil mix.
- Place the callused end of the offset at the soil surface and gently pack it down. Water well.
- Continue to water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
- You will see new growth emerge from the offset in a few weeks.
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.
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
