Plant care
Hottentot Figtemperature & humidity
Carpobrotus edulis
More about hottentot fig
Ideal temperature for hottentot fig
Temperature kills fewer hottentot fig plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at -2–40°C (28–104°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly -2°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Hottentot Fig is comparatively hardy (USDA 8–11, RHS H3). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for hottentot fig
Hottentot Fig sits happiest at around Low to moderate, 30–60% RH relative humidity. Tolerates salt-laden coastal air and sea spray better than most succulents. Adaptable to the moderate humidity of coastal environments. Avoid prolonged cold, damp conditions in combination with heavy soil. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Hottentot Fig temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for hottentot fig?
Hottentot Fig grows best between -2–40°C (28–104°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can hottentot fig tolerate?
Hottentot Fig starts to suffer below roughly -2°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 8–11, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does hottentot fig need?
Hottentot Fig prefers about Low to moderate, 30–60% RH relative humidity. Tolerates salt-laden coastal air and sea spray better than most succulents. Adaptable to the moderate humidity of coastal environments. Avoid prolonged cold, damp conditions in combination with heavy soil.
How do I raise humidity for hottentot fig?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can hottentot fig live outside?
Hottentot Fig is rated for USDA zone 8–11 and RHS hardiness H3. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More hottentot fig care
In the UK? Keeping hottentot fig warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full hottentot fig care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.