Pussy Ears Plant Care

Pussy Ears (Cotyledon tomentosa) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Cotyledon genus. Pussy Ears is native to South Africa. Pussy Ears is also known as Navelwort, Pennywort.

Pussy Ears displays a low rosette, branching growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Pussy Ears produces tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pussy Ears every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pussy Ears thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Pussy Ears in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Cotyledon tomentosa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Pussy Ears prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining succulent mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Pussy Ears to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pussy Ears every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to full sun and well-draining succulent mix with perlite and coarse sand. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pussy Ears is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pussy Ears can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Pussy Ears while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Pussy Ears is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pussy Ears can be propagated through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to round-leaved cotyledon plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pussy Ears is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pussy Ears grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pussy Ears is native to South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Pussy Ears as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.