Repotting guide

When & how to repot Sabre-Leaved Hottentot Fig (Carpobrotus acinaciformis)

Also called Sabre-leaved hottentot fig, Sally-my-handsome, Giant pigface, Sour fig.

More about sabre-leaved hottentot fig

About Sabre-Leaved Hottentot Fig

Carpobrotus acinaciformis · also called Sabre-leaved hottentot fig, Sally-my-handsome · tropical

Carpobrotus acinaciformis is a vigorous, prostrate, mat-forming succulent native to the coastal cliffs and dunes of South Africa, now widely naturalised along the Mediterranean basin, the Canary Islands, and the milder coasts of southern Britain. It produces large, striking magenta to deep pink daisy-like flowers and thick, sabre-shaped, waxy succulent leaves that store water for drought survival. The single most important care point is excellent drainage and full sun — waterlogged or shaded conditions cause rapid rotting of its succulent stems. The sap of Carpobrotus species can cause skin and digestive irritation; it is classified as mildly toxic to pets due to its irritant compounds.

Mature size: 10–20 cm tall but trailing stems extend 1–2 m or more, eventually covering several square metres.

Watch for — Root and stem rot in poorly drained soil: The most common problem; waterlogged soil causes rapid rotting of the succulent stems and root system. Always grow in very gritty, free-draining soil or a raised bed; if grown in pots ensure drainage holes are unobstructed.

How to tell sabre-leaved hottentot fig needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For sabre-leaved hottentot fig, 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Sabre-Leaved Hottentot Fig's growth habit — vigorous, prostrate, mat-forming succulent sub-shrub with long trailing stems that root at nodes; spreads rapidly to create dense, weed-suppressing ground cover. — sets the pace. Carpobrotus acinaciformis is a vigorous, prostrate, mat-forming succulent native to the coastal cliffs and dunes of South Africa, now widely naturalised along the Mediterranean basin, the Canary Islands, and the milder coasts of southern Britain. It produces large, striking magenta to deep pink daisy-like flowers and thick, sabre-shaped, waxy succulent leaves that store water for drought survival. The single most important care point is excellent drainage and full sun — waterlogged or shaded conditions cause rapid rotting of its succulent stems. The sap of Carpobrotus species can cause skin and digestive irritation; it is classified as mildly toxic to pets due to its irritant compounds.

What size pot to step sabre-leaved hottentot fig up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Sabre-Leaved Hottentot Fig 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig

Spring or summer, while sabre-leaved hottentot fig 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig

Repot dry. Do not water sabre-leaved hottentot fig 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 poor, sandy or gravelly, sharply drained 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig

Sabre-Leaved Hottentot Fig wants poor, sandy or gravelly, sharply drained. Grow in light, gritty, nutrient-poor soil with fast drainage; tolerates coastal sand and thin soils over rock. Rich or moisture-retentive soils cause soft, rot-prone growth. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting sabre-leaved hottentot fig — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot sabre-leaved hottentot fig?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for sabre-leaved hottentot fig. Repot sabre-leaved hottentot fig every 2–3 years into a snug pot of poor, sandy or gravelly, sharply drained, 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig need?

When is the best time of year to repot sabre-leaved hottentot fig?

Should you water sabre-leaved hottentot fig after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot sabre-leaved hottentot fig 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 sabre-leaved hottentot fig after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting sabre-leaved hottentot fig. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.