How to Grow and Care for Kitten Ears Plant
Maintain the soft, fuzzy foliage of the Kitten Ears plant. This guide provides key insights on watering and light to ensure your charming plant thrives.
The Kitten Ears plant (Cyanotis somaliensis) gets its name from the soft, white hairs covering its fleshy green leaves, giving them a fuzzy texture. This plant has a trailing growth habit, making it a great choice for hanging baskets or containers where its stems can drape over the sides. Native to Somalia, its unique appearance and simple care make it a popular houseplant.
Kitten Ears Plant Care
The Kitten Ears plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, such as near an east-facing window. Too much direct sun can scorch its leaves, while insufficient light will cause the plant to become “leggy,” with stretched stems and sparse foliage. While it can tolerate medium light, its growth is more compact in a brighter location.
The most effective approach is the “soak and dry” method. Water the plant thoroughly until it drains from the pot, then allow the soil to dry out almost completely before watering again. This prevents root rot, as the plant’s succulent-like leaves store water, making it sensitive to consistently wet soil.
Plant Kitten Ears in a well-draining soil mix to prevent waterlogging. A potting medium for cacti and succulents is a good choice, or you can create your own by adding perlite or coarse sand to standard potting soil. Ensure the container has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
This plant thrives in average household temperatures of 65-80°F (18-27°C) and normal humidity, so no misting is required. During the spring and summer growing season, feed it monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.
Propagating Kitten Ears
Propagating Kitten Ears is easily done with stem cuttings. Begin by selecting a healthy stem from the mother plant. Using clean, sharp scissors, cut a piece that is a few inches long and includes several leaves.
Remove the leaves from the bottom inch of the stem to prevent rot. For water rooting, place the cutting in a jar of water, keeping the remaining leaves dry. For soil rooting, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot with well-draining soil. Keep the soil lightly moist, and roots should form within a few weeks.
Common Problems and Solutions
Overwatering is the most common problem, leading to root rot. Signs include yellowing leaves and mushy stems at the plant’s base. To fix this, reduce watering frequency and confirm your pot and soil provide adequate drainage.
If your plant develops leggy growth from insufficient light, move it to a location with brighter, indirect sunlight. You can also prune the leggy stems back to promote a fuller, more compact shape and encourage bushier growth.
Kitten Ears is fairly pest-resistant but can attract mealybugs or spider mites. Inspect the leaves and stems regularly. If pests are found, manage them by dabbing them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by spraying with a gentle insecticidal soap.
The toxicity of Cyanotis somaliensis is not definitively established by major animal welfare organizations. Some sources state it is not intended for consumption. Given its appealing, fuzzy texture, it is a wise precaution to place the plant in a location out of reach of curious pets to prevent any potential issues.