Out of the succulent family, Senecio Haworthii 'Cocoon Plant' is one of the most tantalizing dwarf plants that you will ever see! It has some frosty gray cylindrical cacti-like with bright silvery-white hairs leaves, which makes it a perfect addition to any succulent arrangements.
In addition to that, Cocoon Plants are extremely resistant to drought, so if you are someone who tends to miss occasional watering, this is the ideal plant for you!
Water
Although Cocoon Plant like to be drenched in water, it is much more sensitive to overwatering compared to other succulents. So if you are new to growing drought-tolerant succulents, be mindful when you give this plant a drink and make sure not to let it sit in wet soil for too long as this might lead to several problems like over-long, leggy stems with visible spaces between the leaves and root rot.
To make it simple, always check the soil first by sticking your finger into it and feel if it is still moist or not. If it is, do not water your Cocoon Plant yet. Wait for the soil to be completely dry before giving it a good soak of water.
Another way to check is by giving the leaf of your Cocoon Plant a gentle press. If you feel that it's firm, then it is not time yet to give it some water as it is still holding enough water in its leave to survive. When its leaves start to get droopy and shriveled up, it's a sign that your Cocoon Plant is underwatered.
Sunlight
Photo: Pinterest.com
For Cocoon Plant to continuously grow beautifully, it needs to get at least 4 to 6 hours of full morning sunlight daily, or else, it might become leggy. So if you are planning to grow it indoor, make sure to place your Cocoon Plant in a room where it can get plenty of sunlight, or on a south or west window. You may also consider placing it under artificial grow light, in case they don't get enough sunlight indoors. When growing it outdoor, just find a bright sunny spot where it can get access to a generous source of light in the morning but will also be protected from the scorching sun in the afternoon.
Soil
Even though Cocoon Plants can survive in a variety of soil mixes, it is still best to use a well-draining one, like a cactus or succulent mix. This will prevent the plant from sitting in the wet for too long, which will harm their roots and may result in rotting.
If you don't have cactus mix available, you can always prepare your own gritty soil by mixing potting soil with inorganic ingredients like perlites or pebbles. Getting the right soil mix could be daunting to any succulent beginner, so our basic recommendation is a 50:50 mix of organic and inorganic matter.
Fertilizer
As for feeding the Cocoon Plant, you may use a succulent fertilizer once a year, preferably when they are actively growing, which usually happens in the Spring.
There are succulent fertilizers available on the market. If you can’t find succulent fertilizers, regular water-soluble fertilizer diluted by at least 50% works fine as well. Highly potent fertilizers are never recommended because they will most likely burn your succulents.
Certain types of homemade fertilizers have worked well for many gardeners—banana peels, coffee grounds, or finely crushed eggshells for example. Some people also find it helpful to use their fish tank water as a homemade fish emulsion to feed their succulents.
Propagation
Cocoon Plants can be propagated from both leaves and cuttings. However, it is much easier and faster to propagate it through cuttings.
To do this, remove a stem from the mother plant by using a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Allow the cuttings to callous over for several days before sticking it in well-draining soil, then water whenever you feel that the soil has completely dried.
All in all, Cocoon Plant might not be the easiest to take care of, but seeing this hard to find but lovely succulent thrive together with your other plant collection, will make every effort worth it!
