Name: Cotyledon orbiculata undulata
Brand: Surreal Succulents

Cotyledon orbiculata undulata

£11.00

At a glance

Light: Full sun5+ hours of sun
Lowest temperature: -6°C Takes some frost
Mature size: 40 cm x 40 cm Height x width
Growability: BeginnerWhat this means

Where it grows best and how to care for it

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What arrives

Sent by Royal Mail, with tracking
Unless stated otherwise, grown in a 6cm pot and around 5-7cm wide. Size guide
Sent bare-root, so it travels safely. Why we ship without pots and soil
Packed without plastic, apart from the plant label
Grown at our nursery in Cornwall and picked by hand for your order

The plant you receive may not look exactly like the photos.

Cotyledon orbiculata undulata, or otherwise known as the silver crown, is a very sculptural succulent. As you can see it produces these incredible oyster shell-like leaves that neatly overlap each other. Each leaf has this silver like dust (bloom) that protects it against strong sunlight.

In time they will produce offsets. They also produce a beautiful array of orange and yellow bell-shaped flowers on a tall flower stem in mid to late summer.

All Cotyledon species originated in South Africa and seem to be semi-hardy. Cotyledon orbiculata has been known to survive temperatures as low as -6°C for short periods of time.

They make awesome potted succulents on their own or you could try them with a mix of other succulents such as Echeveria, crassula and sempervivums to create your own little low maintenance succulent landscape.

We send everything by Royal Mail, and you'll get tracking updates once your order is on its way.

Standard: we send your order within 3 working days by Tracked 48, so it takes 3 to 5 days to arrive.

Super Express: order before 2pm on a working day and it goes out the same day by Tracked 24, arriving in 1 to 2 working days.

Our packaging is 100% plastic-free. The plant label is the only plastic in the box.

Your plants travel bare-root, nested carefully in the packaging.

Light

Full sun

5+ hours of sun

Full shade
Partial shade
Full sun

Lowest temperature

-6°C

Takes frost down to -6°C. Give it shelter if it gets colder than that.

-6°C

Good places to grow it

Outdoor tabletop
Conservatory
Sunny windowsill

Growability: Beginner
Growth form: Shrub-like
Growth rate: Moderate
Mature size (H x W): 40 cm x 40 cm
Foliage colour: White

Customer reviews

On arrival

Unpacking and planting

Cotyledon orbiculata undulata is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove all protective material and check the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition.

Plant Cotyledon orbiculata undulata in fresh, free-draining compost, spreading the roots naturally rather than forcing them in. Keep every healthy leaf and the growing point above the surface, then tap the pot on the bench to settle the mixture without pressing it down hard.

Wait five to seven days before watering so small root injuries from lifting and transport can dry. After that, water lightly while the roots establish and move to the normal 3 D's routine once the plant is firmly rooted. Keep Cotyledon orbiculata undulata bright, sheltered and out of fierce midday sun while it settles.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water Cotyledon orbiculata undulata using our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry. Water thoroughly so the whole root area is moistened and every excess drop escapes through the drainage holes, then wait until the compost has dried before watering again.

Judge watering by the compost and the weight of the pot rather than a fixed timetable. A small terracotta pot in bright warmth dries quickly, while a large or glazed pot stays wet far longer. Water in the morning and avoid leaving water sitting in the centre of a rosette.

Reduce watering considerably through cold, dull weather. Fleshy leaves and stems store moisture, so a healthy plant tolerates a dry spell far more safely than cold, permanently wet compost.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Cotyledon orbiculata undulata with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Outdoor Tabletop, Conservatory, and Sunny Windowsill. Most succulents need strong natural light to keep compact growth and their best White colouring; too little light causes stretched, pale, leggy growth.

Rotate a pot-grown plant regularly so it develops evenly, and introduce it to stronger sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a spell indoors, as unadjusted foliage can scorch. Provide temporary shade during intense heatwaves.

A few succulents prefer bright indirect light rather than fierce sun. If Cotyledon orbiculata undulata's leaves bleach or brown in strong summer sun, move it to a slightly shadier spot.

Compost and drainage

Plant Cotyledon orbiculata undulata in a free-draining mixture. A standard multi-purpose compost or a John Innes No.2 (sandy) mix with around 30 to 40 percent by volume of drainage media, such as horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, suits most succulents well. Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes.

Choose a container only moderately larger than the root system, as surplus compost stays wet for too long. Terracotta is a useful choice in the cool, humid UK climate because its porous sides help the compost dry evenly.

A thin layer of horticultural grit around the base keeps the lowest leaves off damp compost and helps the surface stay open and airy.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support Cotyledon orbiculata undulata for approximately three to six months. Once these are used, apply a balanced liquid feed at half the recommended strength every two to four weeks while the plant is in active growth.

Feed only when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering. Stop feeding through autumn and winter, or whenever growth has paused.

Do not overfeed to force colour or size. Strong light, sharp drainage and correct watering matter far more than fertiliser.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Cotyledon orbiculata undulata is -6°C. Unless the product page confirms it is hardy, treat Cotyledon orbiculata undulata as tender and move it into a bright, airy, frost-free position before conditions fall below its recorded minimum.

Keep the compost much drier through winter, as cold, wet roots rot readily. Avoid standing the plant above a radiator, where dry heat and weak light cause soft, distorted growth. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool windowsill gives good protection.

Where Cotyledon orbiculata undulata is genuinely hardy, its main enemy is winter wet rather than cold: keep drainage sharp and clear wet debris from around the crown.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Summer care

Spring and summer are the main growing season for most succulents, so check the compost regularly and water thoroughly whenever it has dried. Many can spend the frost-free months outdoors once acclimatised gradually to sun, wind and rain.

Ventilate greenhouses and conservatories in hot weather, as heat trapped behind glass can scorch leaves. Provide temporary afternoon shade during exceptional heatwaves.

Strong light often deepens red, bronze and purple tones. If Cotyledon orbiculata undulata flowers, enjoy the display and remove the dried stems afterwards if you prefer a tidier plant.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Cotyledon orbiculata undulata in spring when the roots fill the pot, the plant becomes unstable or the compost has broken down. Ease it out while supporting the base rather than the leaves, and remove as much old compost as possible.

Inspect the roots and cut away any brown, hollow or soft ones with clean snips, leaving fresh cuts to dry. Replace with a fresh, free-draining mixture in a pot only one or two sizes larger.

Keep Cotyledon orbiculata undulata at its previous depth and wait three to five days before watering so any root injuries can seal.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Stretched, pale, widely spaced growth almost always means Cotyledon orbiculata undulata needs more light. Move it gradually somewhere brighter and rotate the pot.

Soft, translucent, mushy leaves, a darkening stem base or sudden collapse point to excess moisture and rot. Remove the plant from wet compost, cut away damaged tissue and roots, and let healthy material dry before repotting or taking rescue cuttings.

Check leaf joints and the root area for white, cotton-like mealybug, which shelters in sheltered spots. Isolate and treat affected plants promptly. Dry brown patches usually indicate sun scorch, so introduce direct light gradually.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost