Repotting guide

When & how to repot Elk Horns Pig's Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata 'Elk Horns')

Also called Elk Horns Pig's Ear, Elk Horns Cotyledon.

More about elk horns pig's ear

About Elk Horns Pig's Ear

Cotyledon orbiculata 'Elk Horns' · also called Elk Horns Pig's Ear, Elk Horns Cotyledon · houseplant

A sculptural South African succulent cultivar whose powdery silver-white leaves develop distinctively pronged, antler-like tips as they mature — giving rise to the 'Elk Horns' name. Slow-growing and drought-adapted, it needs bright sun, extremely free-draining soil, and infrequent deep watering to thrive. Keep away from all pets — all Cotyledon contain cardiac glycosides.

Mature size: Up to 30 cm (12 in) tall and 45 cm (18 in) wide

Watch for — Root and stem rot from overwatering: The number-one cause of death. Ensure soil dries fully between waterings and use perfectly draining soil. Reduce watering dramatically in winter or cool cloudy weather.

How to tell elk horns pig's ear needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For elk horns pig's ear, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot elk horns pig's ear

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Elk Horns Pig's Ear's growth habit — slow-growing upright to semi-shrubby rosette; woody at base with age — sets the pace. A sculptural South African succulent cultivar whose powdery silver-white leaves develop distinctively pronged, antler-like tips as they mature — giving rise to the 'Elk Horns' name. Slow-growing and drought-adapted, it needs bright sun, extremely free-draining soil, and infrequent deep watering to thrive. Keep away from all pets — all Cotyledon contain cardiac glycosides.

What size pot to step elk horns pig's ear up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Elk Horns Pig's Ear stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot elk horns pig's ear

Spring or summer, while elk horns pig's ear is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting elk horns pig's ear

Repot dry. Do not water elk horns pig's ear for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sharply draining cactus/succulent mix with 50–70% mineral grit ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set elk horns pig's ear at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep elk horns pig's ear completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for elk horns pig's ear

Elk Horns Pig's Ear wants sharply draining cactus/succulent mix with 50–70% mineral grit. Mix a commercial succulent or cactus compost with 50–70% coarse perlite, pumice, or horticultural grit. Terracotta pots are strongly recommended to aid moisture evaporation through the pot walls. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting elk horns pig's ear — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot elk horns pig's ear?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for elk horns pig's ear. Repot elk horns pig's ear every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply draining cactus/succulent mix with 50–70% mineral grit, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does elk horns pig's ear need?

When is the best time of year to repot elk horns pig's ear?

Should you water elk horns pig's ear after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot elk horns pig's ear into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise elk horns pig's ear after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting elk horns pig's ear. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.