Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) Cotyledon orbiculata
Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) (Cotyledon orbiculata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Crassulaceae family, native to Southern Africa, from Namibia and the Cape to Angola. It grows 50 cm–1.2 m (20 in–3.9 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1.2 m (20 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Africa, from Namibia and the Cape to Angola |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves
Contains cotyledoside, a heart poison: it causes krimpsiekte (“shrinking disease”) in sheep and goats and is dangerous to pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort)
- How far apart should I plant Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains cotyledoside, a heart poison: it causes krimpsiekte (“shrinking disease”) in sheep and goats and is dangerous to pets.
- What grows well with Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pig’s ear (round-leaved navelwort). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- Thick, round, chalk-grey leaves often rimmed with red, and hanging bunches of orange-red tubular bells on tall stems in winter, visited by sunbirds. Tough and drought-proof; a common plant of South African rockeries and fire-wise gardens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum