Light Requirements: Prefers bright, direct sunlight. Thrives in full sun and requires several hours of direct light daily to maintain compact, trailing growth and healthy leaf color. Indoors, place it in a sunny window or under strong grow lights.
Watering Needs: Water deeply but only when the soil is completely dry. Highly drought-tolerant and very susceptible to rot if overwatered. Reduce watering significantly during winter dormancy or in low-light conditions.
Soil Preference: Use a sharply draining cactus or succulent mix. Add extra pumice, perlite, or coarse sand to ensure excellent drainage, especially in hanging containers or shallow pots.
How to Fertilize: Fertilize lightly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted, balanced cactus fertilizer once a month or every 6 weeks. Do not fertilize during fall and winter.
Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11. Not frost-tolerant—protect from cold temperatures below 30°F (−1°C).
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs. Like other Cotyledon species, ingestion may cause vomiting or more serious symptoms. Keep out of reach of pets.
Additional Care Tips: Cotyledon pendens is a trailing succulent with fleshy, gray-green leaves often tipped in red and produces coral-pink tubular flowers when mature. Ideal for hanging baskets, it requires excellent air circulation and minimal handling, as the leaves are prone to dropping. Propagate from stem cuttings—allow to callous before planting. Repot only when rootbound or the soil becomes compacted.
