Cyanotis Somaliensis, also known as Pussy Ears, Kitten Ears, and Tradescantia Somaliensis, is an evergreen succulent native to Northern Somalia. With a trailing habit of 6-18" tall and 12-18" wide, Somaliensis is typically a houseplant. It also makes excellent groundcover in zones 10-11, where it's a tender perennial. Pair Pussy Ears with hoya and ivy for a unique variety of textures in a houseplant collection. Somaliensis is grown primarily for its hairy bronze foliage, but it also blooms with soft purple flowers in the spring and summer. This plant is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and air-purifying.
Somaliensis Selling Tips
Sell Kitten Ears to customers looking for a unique, easy-care addition to a houseplant collection. Somaliensis does best in high light but will tolerate medium light. Fuzzy kitten-ear leaves add texture and visual interest, while Cyanotis's purple blooms offer a splash of color in spring and summer. With enough light, this plant requires little care. Customers in zones 10-11 will love Pussy Ear as groundcover in a tropical garden or trailing over the side of an outdoor patio container.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 12-24 inches apart in well-drained soil. For planting in containers, use succulent soil that has 50-70% perlite or sand.
2. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Do not overwater to avoid root rot. You may fertilize in spring and summer according to the directions on a general houseplant fertilizer.
3. Prune back if the plant begins to get leggy (growing with lots of space in between the leaves). Pruning will help create a bushier plant. Issues with legginess indicate that the plant needs more light.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Cyanotis Somaliensis, use well-drained soil with 50-70% perlite or sand. Grow the plants in full sun with a pH of 6.1-7.5 and low feed (100 ppm nitrogen). Plant one rooted plug per 2-inch container. Root rot can be a problem.
Flowering
Small purple flowers with yellow stamen bloom in spring and summer. This plant is primarily grown for its fuzzy bronze evergreen foliage.
Pinching
This plant doesn't typically require pinching with sufficient light.
Spacing
Space plants 6-8" apart for adequate airflow and light penetration.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require chemical growth regulators. Grown in full sun, it doesn't typically stretch long.
Pests
Somaliensis isn't affected by pests.
Disease
Pussy Ears can suffer from root rot if it is overwatered. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Grow in full sun and space containers to allow light to penetrate to the soil.
Planting Somaliensis Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 2-inch or 4-inch container. Use well-draining soil that contains 50-70% perlite or sand, like a typical cactus and succulent soil. Completely bury the ellepot in the center of the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Cyanotis Somaliensis Quick Reference Guide
| Bloom Period | Spring, Summer |
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| Color | Purple |
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| Habit | Creeping, Trailing |
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| Height | 6-18 inches |
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| Light | Bright, Full Sun, Partial Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 40 |
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| Perennial Zone | Zones 10-11 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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