Care of the succulent plant Cotyledon undulata or Silver Ruffles plant |
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The genus Cotyledon, family Crassulaceae, includes 10 species of succulent plants native to Africa. Some species are: Cotyledon undulata, Cotyledon tomentosa, Cotyledon orbiculata, Cotyledon papillaris. Common names: Silver Ruffles plant, Silver crown plant. This species is selected in cultivation. They are succulent plants with an erect bearing and thick stem that reach 50 cm (1.64 feet) in height. The attractive and fleshy leaves are whitish-green, romoboidal-oval in shape with wavy edges, they are arranged horizontally on the stem and reach 12 cm (4.72") in length. The flowers are about 2 cm (0.78") long, orange in color and appear in 40 cm (15.74") long scales. They bloom from spring to early summer. They are used in pots and planters, to form borders, in rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents. Cotyledon undulata prefers light shade exposure avoiding direct sun during the hottest hours of the day. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 7 ºC (44.6 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand and leaf mulch. A commercial cactus substrate can also be used. Water frequently in summer, waiting for the soil to dry out. It's important not to wet the leaves. The rest of the year water in moderation and in winter water once a month. Fertilize with compost in late winter and mineral fertilizer for succulents in spring. Prune off wilted flower stems. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to irrigation. They propagate by stem cuttings in late summer or spring or by seeds sown in spring in a sandy substrate. |
Images of the succulent plant Cotyledon undulata or Silver Ruffles plant |
 Cotyledon undulata |