Cotyledon

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 7:56am — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Vera Kark

Botanical Name:

Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga 'Macrantha'

Pronunciation:

(kot-EE-lee-don)

Common Name:

Cotyledon

Plant Type:

Succulent

Mature Size:

3 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide

Water Requirements:

Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun

We love this Cotyledon cultivar with its bright green, red-edged leaves. Many summer-dry plants have small, fine leaves; Cotyledon with its brightly-colored, fleshy leaves adds a much needed PUNCH to the garden. This is especially important during the quiet months in the fall and winter when not much is blooming.

Like many succulents, Cotyledon is easily propagated from cuttings and does well in containers. According to Sunset's Western Garden Book, Cotyledon does better in light shade, but some of the plants in the water-wise garden are in full sun and seem to do just fine.