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Pig's Ear

Cotyledon Orbiculata

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Overview

Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as "Pig\'s Ear," is a drought-tolerant succulent featuring fleshy, round, gray-green leaves with a red margin. Native to South Africa, it grows up to 24 inches tall and sports bell-shaped orange-red flowers on stalks in summer. It thrives in USDA zones 9-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Perfect for xeriscaping, it adds sculptural interest to rock gardens and containers.

Sun FullWater Extra in Summer, Low, MediumZones 9–10Type SucculentClimate Temperate

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Extra in Summer, Low, Medium
USDA zones
9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Succulent
Family
Crassulaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (133)

Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pair it with other succulents, gravel mulches, and rocks for an authentic desert garden aesthetic
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — It requires well-draining soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade; gray-green leaves with a red margin, image 101
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — it grows up to 24 inches tall and sports bell-shaped orange-red flowers on stalks in summer; including bees and, image 111
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — These silver-gray leaves are often edged with a red margin; cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as Pig's Ear, is a
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — and they attract a variety of pollinators; oval-shaped leaves that grow to about 4 to 6 inches long
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — From late spring to mid-summer; pig's Ear can reach heights of approximately 24 inches with a similar spread, image 94
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — commonly known as "Pig\'s Ear," is a drought-tolerant succulent featuring fleshy; it thrives in USDA zones 9-11, image 55
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pair it with other succulents, gravel mulches, and rocks for an authentic desert garden aesthetic; it grows up, image 78
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — and they attract a variety of pollinators
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — succulent for full; pair it with other succulents, gravel mulches, and rocks for an authentic desert garden aesthetic
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — When incorporating Pig's Ear into a landscape design; these silver-gray leaves are often edged with a red margin, image 75
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — consider its ability to add year-round interest with minimal maintenance
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — including bees and hummingbirds.<br><br>As a drought-tolerant plant; providing spectacular contrasts against the foliage
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pig's Ear produces inflorescences consisting of coral red or orange bell-shaped flowers, image 95
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — oval-shaped leaves that grow to about 4 to 6 inches long
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Perfect for xeriscaping, it adds sculptural interest to rock gardens and containers, image 59
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Cotyledon orbiculata is ideal for low-water landscaping in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11; consider its ability to add
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — lending an architectural quality to garden compositions
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — These silver-gray leaves are often edged with a red margin; cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as Pig's Ear, image 63
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as Pig's Ear, is a distinctive succulent plant native to South Africa, image 60
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — succulent with orange blooms
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — gray-green leaves with a red margin; hence the common name.<br><br>The leaves emerge from stout stems, image 83
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — succulent for full
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — succulent with orange blooms; and they attract a variety of pollinators, image 80
Photographs by 8 contributors

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