With bouncy leaves and stems that trail over the pot, Cotyledon pendens is a fun one to add to your collection. Its leaves have a powdery coating (farina) and red tips and mature plants can grow beautiful orange flowers! It naturally grows on steep cliffs in South Africa so thats where it got its name cliff cotyledon. 

What Makes It Special?

The way it grows. In the wild its roots grip into cracks in rock and its stem hang down. The stems can also grow roots so it can keep rooting into different crevices along the rocks. You get to watch that same growth as the stems get longer and start to trail. Its flower blooms also hang down! 

Key Facts

Scientific name: Cotyledon pendens
Common name: Cliff cotyledon
Family: Crassulaceae, the stonecrop family
Native range: The Mbashe River gorge in South Africa’s Eastern Cape
Growth form: A branching succulent shrublet with trailing stems
Common use: Hanging baskets, containers and rock gardens.

How to Care for Cotyledon pendens

Light

Give it plenty of bright light. It can grow in sun or partly shady places. Outside give it morning sun but also protect it from harsh afternoon sun.

Inside it needs to be by a bright window. If you grow it in a hanging planter, be sure its not too high that its not getting enough light. A grow light can also help if your window doesn't get enough light during the day. 

Be sure to harden your plant off first before giving it stronger light. A succulent that has been growing inside will burn if its moved straight into strong outside sun.

Water

Water deeply when the soil is dry all the way through the pot. Empty any saucer so the roots aren’t sitting in water.

A small pot outside will dry much faster than a larger pot inside so just be sure to check the soil and leaves rather than watering on a schedule.

During colder weather, you'll have more time between waterings. Just be sure to give the roots a deep drink and then time to dry out.

Soil

A gritty succulent mix that drains good and leaves room for air around the roots. If your potting mix stays wet for a long time adding some pumice or perlite can help it drain and dry faster to protect the roots.

The perfect potting mix depends on your growing conditions. A succulent in a humid home usually needs a mix that dries faster then one growing outside in hot and dry weather.

Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes and pots that are too big. Extra soil holds extra water which then can keep the roots wet longer than they need to be. When you repot just be sure to pick a pot that fits the roots  and gives it a little room to grow.

Temperature

It can handle brief dips around 25–30°F, but that is a survival limit rather than a temperature it can stay at foe long periods. It thrives around 65–85°F and be sure to bring it inside for frost or freezing weather.

Fertilizer

It doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer. You can do a quarter strength fertilizer once or twice during active growth (usually spring and summer). If you use a liquid fertilizer, be sure to dilute it to a quarter strength.

If your plant is struggling, be sure to check its light, soil and watering before fertilizing.

Blooming

It does flower and the flowers are an orange/red. They look like a long bells and flare outward.

They also hang and branch like it’s leaves. It usually flowers in summer.

Be sure to give it good light because that’s what helps it flower. 

Is It Pet Safe?

Keep cliff cotyledon out of reach of pets. 

If your pet eats any part of the plant, contact your veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms. In a hanging planter make sure both the trailing stems and any fallen leaves stay out of reach.

Humidity

Regular household humidity with good airflow is great.

If your house is more humid, be sure to pay attention to how long the soil stays damp and add more grit if its staying wet longer then 3-5 days. 

Propagation

It can be propagated by stem cuttings.

1. Use clean scissors and take a healthy stem cutting a few inches long.
2. Remove the lowest leaves so you have a short section of stem.
3. Let the cut end dry and callus for a few days.
4. Put the stem into a small pot of well-draining soil.
5. Keep it in bright, indirect light with just a little spritz of water while roots develop.

Once it has established roots, you can water normally.

You can also propagate from leaf cuttings, although a stem cutting gives you a larger piece of plant to start with.

Troubleshooting Your Cliff Cotyledon

The leaves are wrinkled

Check the soil before watering. Wrinkling can mean the plant needs water especially if the pot is dry and light.

If the soil is still wet then it could be a root issue. Damaged roots can struggle to take up water so adding more can make the problem worse.

The leaves are yellow and mushy

Check that the soil isn't staying too wet. Also check the roots for rot. If roots are rotting, cut off the rotting roots and repot the healthy portion in fresh, well-draining mix. If the base cannot be saved, you can take healthy stem tips as cuttings and propagate them.

The stems look thin and stretched

Trailing is normal. Long spaces between leaves and weak new growth means it needs more light.

Move it to a brighter spot gradually. Those longer spaces won’t close but the new growth should come in more compact. You can trim stretched stems and use them for propagation.

There are dry brown patches on the leaves

If the patches came after a move to stronger sun or a window that was brighter, it usually means it got sunburnt. Be sure to move your succulent into stronger light slowly.

There are white, cottony clumps

Inspect leaf joints and new growth for mealybugs. These appear as distinct cottony clusters. Not to be confused with the farina that naturally coats the leaves. 

If you need to treat it, dab 70% rubbing alcohol on the cotton and it kills on contact. We always recommend washing it off after a few minutes to be safe. You can also use an alcohol spray.

Why We Picked This Plant

This is the first Cotyledon we’ve included in a Succly box!! We wanted to start with one of our favorites.

We love the bouncing stems and the way its branches. It brings a different name and growth to your collection.  And those flowers give you something extra to look forward to!

Snap a pic, tag @Succly, and show us where your cliff cotyledon lives. Bonus points if it’s in bloom or trailing🌼

Keep Learning About Succulent Care

New to succulents or want to learn even more? These guides will help you grow healthier, happier plants.

Watering Succulents
Learn why overwatering isn’t just about how often you water, but how long the soil stays wet.
→ Read our Watering Guide

Find the Right Succulent Soil
There isn’t one “perfect” succulent soil. Discover how to choose or mix the best soil for your growing environment.
→ Read our Succulent Soil Guide

Succulent Care 101
Everything you need to know about light, watering, repotting, dormancy, and keeping your succulents thriving.
→ Read Succulent Care 101