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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
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pair it with other succulents, gravel mulches, and rocks for an authentic desert garden aesthetic

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) — invoking the image of a pig's ear; from late spring to mid-summer, image 91
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
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — invoking the image of a pig's ear; from late spring to mid-summer, image 64
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — The flowers stand as tall as 18 inches above the foliage on erect
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
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Perfect for xeriscaping, it adds sculptural interest to rock gardens and containers
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — including bees and hummingbirds.<br><br>As a drought-tolerant plant; providing spectacular contrasts against the, image 99
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — providing spectacular contrasts against the foliage; when incorporating Pig's Ear into a landscape design, image 69
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 102
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — orange flowers in the garden; invoking the image of a pig's ear, image 106
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — providing spectacular contrasts against the foliage; when incorporating Pig's Ear into a landscape design, image 96
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — lending an architectural quality to garden compositions; succulent for full
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — although it should be protected from frost to prevent damage to the succulent leaves
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pair it with other succulents, gravel mulches, and rocks for an authentic desert garden aesthetic; it grows up, image 105
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Pig's Ear can reach heights of approximately 24 inches with a similar spread; cotyledon orbiculata is ideal for low-water
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — succulent with orange blooms; and they attract a variety of pollinators, image 107
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — lending an architectural quality to garden compositions; succulent for full, image 66
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — consider its ability to add year-round interest with minimal maintenance; the flowers stand as tall as 18 inches above the
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — oval-shaped leaves that grow to about 4 to 6 inches long; succulent with orange blooms, image 62
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — It thrives in USDA zones 9-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade; orange flowers in the, image 58
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Perfect for xeriscaping, it adds sculptural interest to rock gardens and containers, image 32
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — and they attract a variety of pollinators; oval-shaped leaves that grow to about 4 to 6 inches long, image 71
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — It thrives in USDA zones 9-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade; orange flowers in the garden
Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata) — Perfect for xeriscaping, it adds sculptural interest to rock gardens and containers, image 113
Photographs by 9 contributors

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