Cotyledon orbiculata 'Cinderella' (Pig's Ear) - An evergreen, branching succulent with fleshy round leaves about the size of a silver dollar. As with the species the edges of the leaf are lined with red. Orange bell-shaped flowers dangle from flower stalks that rise above the foliage in the summer. This form was selected for its leaves, and it seems more compact than the species, growing only to about 18 to 24 inches tall in a dense mound.
Plant in full coastal sun or light shade with occasional summer watering. Cold hardy to 25-30° F and tolerates drought, lack of summer watering and coastal conditions. A good container plant.
Cotyledon orbiculata 'Cinderella' is our name for a plant that we selection of Cotyledon orbiculata found in a private garden on Cinderella Lane in Santa Barbara that was designed by landscape designer Lisa James. Although there has not been a recorded incident of this plant being poisonous to humans there have been cases in California where sheep have died when fed Cotyledon orbiculata. In South Africa, the disease caused by eating these plants, called cotyledonosis, has poisoned sheep and goats but rarely other animals. The meat of animals killed by cotyledonosis also remains toxic. The reason for this name for the genus is a complicated story. The plant, Wall Pennywort or Navelwort, (Umbilicus rupestris) was previously included in the genus. In medieval times, and in homeopathic medicine this plant was/is commonly known as Cotyledon so this name stuck with the genus, even though the plant it was named for did not. The name originated from the Greek word 'kotyledon' or 'kotyle' meaning "cupped", "hollowed" or "a cavity". The specific epithet is Latin meaning "round and flat" or "disk-shaped" in reference to the typical leaf shape of the species.
We grew this plant from 2006 until 2025.
The information about Cotyledon orbiculata 'Cinderella' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
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