This week’s plant profile is the Pedilanthus macrocarpus ‘Slipper Plant’…
There’s something so peaceful and relaxing about having plants inside your home. I love the look of plants tucked into the corners of a room, displayed on coffee tables and kitchen counters, and gracing bathroom vanities.
Plants help a room feel grounded.
I especially love unique plants. Plants that act as conversation starters, and not something you see everywhere you go.
I’m always on the look-out for unique plants, and with this new series on my blog, I’ll share my latest finds with you. Here’s the latest find…
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Pedilanthus macrocarpus ‘Slipper Plant’
This striking plant produces unusual orange slipper shaped flowers that appear along the stems. When it’s not flowering, the small leaves capture your attention.
About the Plant
The Pedilanthus macrocarpus, also known as a ‘Slipper Plant’ is a very unique plant. The lime-green upright stems are tapered like a candle and are covered in a waxy coating known as Candelilla (which means ‘little candle’). Each stem has small leaves that appear along the stem.
The plant produces orangish-red flowers that are in the shape of a slipper, and are often followed by red fruit. The flowers are definitely a fun bonus! If you put this plant outside in the Summer, the flowers will attract hummingbirds.
New stems form as the plant spreads underground. This plant can spread to around 3-feet wide.
LIGHT
The Pedilanthus macrocarpus prefers very bright indirect light or full sun. A south-facing window is best.
WATER AND SOIL
Like most succulents, this plant needs very little water. Only water when the soil is almost completely dry, and make sure the plant is potted in a very well-draining, light soil. Water slightly more during the warm, growing months – and less during the cooler, winter months. Placing this plant in a small pot will help avoid over-watering.
GROWTH AND HUMIDITY
The Pedilanthus macrocarpus is a slow-growing plant, It can grow up to 3-feet, or 5-feet in perfect conditions. This plant prefers dry climates, so typical household humidity is fine.
NATIVE HABITAT
This plant is native to Mexico.
TOXICITY
The Pedilanthus macrocarpus is a toxic plant – the sap can irritate some people’s skin.
PROPAGATION
This plant is easy to propagate. Cut a stem off near a leaf, then place the cutting in soil to root.
Why I Love It
I’m not usually a big fan of succulents, but this plant is definitely the exception for me! I love the tall upright, slender stalks – they remind me of bamboo. I also really love the small leaves on the stalks, and the fact that there are so few of them – I think that makes the plant look even more unique. I also really love how easy this plant is to propagate – if a stalk breaks off, a new one immediately forms. So cool!
Where to Buy
You can purchase this plant at ArizonaCactusGrowers on Etsy for $25 in a 4-inch pot.
If you have more suggestions for unique or unusual plants, please leave a comment below.
Click Houseplant Visual Index for a visual list of all my recommended houseplants.
For more unusual houseplants, visit my “Plants – Unusual and Unique” Pinterest board at
And for even more house plant ideas, visit my “Plants – Garden Room Decor” Pinterest board at
Why do these start to grow curled over?
Hi Jane – Do you mean the leaf portion or the stalk portion?
If the leaf portion, it could be that the plant isn’t getting enough water. As a succulent, it doesn’t need a lot of water, but if the plant is too dry, the leaves will curl.
Another issue could be the plant isn’t getting enough light. I moved my plant to an area that is 20-feet away from floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows – thinking it would get enough light – but all the leaves curled up and dropped off in that location. I moved the plant back to right in front of a south-facing window that gets direct sunlight for most of the day, and the leaves started growing again like crazy.
I’ve never seen the stalks curl over, but if the stalks are doing that, again – I am guessing it’s due to lack of water.
I hope this helps. Please post back and let me know how your plant is doing. Cheers!
Hi,
Yes I’m referring to the stalk itself. They are about 16 inches tall then curl over for another 12 inches. I have them outside as I live in Az and they survive outside year round here.
Hmmm…. That’s interesting. I have never seen these plants do that. You obviously have a temperature they love (lucky you!) – But what is the lighting condition for where your plant is? Full sun? Indirect light? Shade? If your plant is in a pot, you might want to try placing the plant in a different location with different (brighter) lighting to see if that helps. Succulents will often bend toward the light if they aren’t getting enough light – perhaps that’s what is happening with your plant.
My slipper plants are currently around 26-inches tall. None of them have ever bent/curled over before. I am hoping a different location/lighting condition will help your plant.
Ah, that makes sense. I moved them to the shade during the summer months because this summer was so hot. We had like 40 days over 115. That’s when they curled over. Maybe I should have left them in the sun?
Yikes! That’s a lot of hot days!
Is there an area that has full sun for shorter periods of the day? For example, an eastern or western exposure? That way, the plant gets plenty of sunshine during shorter hours of the day than it would in full sun with a southern exposure. That could help moving forward.
If you don’t like the look of your plant bent/curled over, you could cut off that bent part and propagate it. The top cut part of the main stalk (the stalk that is still upright) will heal over in about 7-10 days, so it will be fine. You can let the cut pieces sit out on a counter for about 7-10 days until they heal over at the cut, then just stick them in the soil in the pot and they will continue to grow. You might want to put these new cut pieces in a different pot because they’ll need a little more water for the first two weeks until they establish roots. Once they have rooted, you can water them as normal.
Putting a clear plastic bag over these newly potted pieces in soil will help them root faster. The plastic acts as a mini greenhouse and keeps the heat in. Just make sure to lift the plastic up a little each day for air circulation to prevent mold. Once the roots are established, you can just remove the plastic altogether.
I hope this helps!
Awesome! I’ll try that! Thank you so much for your help!