Synonyms:

No syonyms are recorded for this species name.

Habitat:

Cotyledon undulata f. variegated f. variegated is a nursery cultivar and, thus, doesn’t exist in nature. The regular Cotyledon undulata f. variegated, as well, is a nursery cultivar. Cotyledon in general, instead, are primarily native to Southern Africa, although also widespread in the arid regions of Africa, reaching as far north as the Arabian Peninsula. Of its various species, ten are primarily restricted to South Africa and are found in both the winter and summer rainfall regions. They can be found growing on coastal flats, rocky hillsides, and on cliff faces.

Description:

Cotyledon undulata is a succulent shrub that can grow up to 50 cm tall. It has a sculptural appearance due to its neat and tidy shape and its unique grey undulating leaves. This plant is widely grown and considered to be the most popular of all Cotyledon species. The stems are thick and have a white coating, while the leaves resemble scallop shells and have wavy edges. They are grey-white to blue-grey in color and are covered with a powdery waxy coating. The variegated form has all the features of the regular Cotyledon ondulata, with also, in addiction, yellow belts or stripes, spread over the entire surface of the plant, taking on different patterns depending on the specimens. Variegations are rather common in succulent species: they are due to are due to alterations in the plant’s capacity to produce chlorophyll, caused by genetic mutations in the cells of the leaves. The lacking chlorophyll is thus replaced with other pygments such as carotenoids. Although the capacity of pygment production is altered, variegated plants, unlike crested and mostrous plants, are able to produce flowering buds: flowers of Cotyledon undulata f. variegated are orange-yellow in color and gathered in an apical, pending cluster.

Cultivation:

Cotyledon undulata f. variegated is a widely grown succulent plant that is not difficult to cultivate. It is responsive to different cultural conditions and can vary in terms of leaf color, length, shape, plant size, and growth rate. The plant grows moderately fast and prefers well-drained, sandy-gritty soil. Fertilize the plant once or twice during the growing season with a cactus and succulent-specific fertilizer, diluted to half the strength recommended on the label. Cotyledon undulata f. variegated is a very dry-tolerant plant and requires regular watering during the growing season, with a dry rest period in between watering. To preserve the white waxy coating on the leaves, water the plant from below. It grows best in full sun, but also tolerates part shade. Provide some shelter from direct sun during the hottest hours in summer, as the plant can get sunburned if moved from shade/greenhouse to full sun too quickly. The plant requires light frost protection and can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 5°C, with a hardiness down to -5°C for short periods if it is in dry soil. Cotyledon undulata f. variegated is suitable as a rockery plant in hot, dry areas, and also grows well in containers or sunny patios, or in a hot corner next to a swimming pool.

Propagation:

Cotyledon undulata f. variegated f. variegated can be propagated by seed, but it is more commonly propagated by cuttings due to their ease of rooting. We are talking about stem cuttings, although also leaves cuttiings are possible: another propagation technique is to plant the leaves in well-draining, sandy soil where they can take root. Members of this family are frequently propagated vegetatively using this method.

Curiosity:

Cotyledon undulata is commonly referred to as “Plakkie” in Afrikaans. This name is derived from the language’s term for “putting on,” which originated from the plant’s widespread and efficient use as a heated leaf poultice to alleviate boils, corns, warts, and abscesses.

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