Watering schedule

How often to water Pig's Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) — the schedule

Also called Pig's Ear, Round-Leafed Navel-Wort, Silver Crown, Edder.

More about pig's ear

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	When the soil is almost completely dry, roughly every 14 days in summer
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 14 days.
Autumn	Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter	Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.
Light	Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

About Pig's Ear

Cotyledon orbiculata · also called Pig's Ear, Round-Leafed Navel-Wort · houseplant

Cotyledon orbiculata is a robust South African succulent producing thick, powdery grey-green to cream-edged rounded leaves and attractive tubular orange-red flowers in summer. It forms a small shrubby plant and tolerates periods of drought. The ASPCA lists Cotyledon as toxic to cats and dogs.

Ideal humidity: 20-50%

Watch for — Root rot: The primary risk from overwatering. Check that the pot has drainage holes and let the soil dry adequately before watering again.

The watering schedule, season by season

Pig's Ear stores water in its thick leaves and stems, so when in doubt, wait — it survives drought far better than soggy soil. The base rhythm for pig's ear is when the soil is almost completely dry, roughly every 14 days in summer, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 14 days.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

Water thoroughly then allow to dry down between waterings. Reduce watering considerably in winter. Avoid splashing water on the powdery leaf surface, which can cause cosmetic damage.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for pig's ear in seconds.

How to tell pig's ear needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water pig's ear. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled.
The pot is noticeably light when lifted.
Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering pig's ear for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering pig's ear

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For pig's ear specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering.
Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level.
Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch.

Signs you are underwatering

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak.
Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Overwatering is the number-one killer of pig's ear. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for pig's ear; the soak-and-dry rhythm matters far more than water type.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For pig's ear, the levers that matter most are:

A gritty, free-draining mix is essential — ordinary potting soil holds too much water for this plant.
Terracotta dries faster and is more forgiving than plastic or glazed ceramic.
More light and warmth speed drying, so the interval shortens in peak summer — always check, never assume.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of pig's ear.

Pig's Ear watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water pig's ear?

Water pig's ear when the soil is almost completely dry, roughly every 14 days in summer. Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 14 days. Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

How do I know when pig's ear needs water?

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled. The pot is noticeably light when lifted. Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface. The single most reliable test for pig's ear is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered pig's ear look like?

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering. Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level. Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch. Overwatering is the number-one killer of pig's ear. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

What are the signs of an underwatered pig's ear?

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak. Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Can I use tap water on pig's ear?