The Bear paw succulent (Cotyledon tomentosa) is a cute, small plant that is easy to care for and grows well as an indoor potted plant. They grow plump, fuzzy green leaves, often with reddish tips on the ends. Making them look like little bear claws or paws.
Provide this unique succulent with bright, indirect sunlight, well-draining soil, and infrequent but thorough waterings.
Bear Paw Succulents
The Cotyledon tomentosa is native to the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. It is found in the rocky areas and cliffs of this region.
This Cotyledon succulent plant has gained popularity due to its unique, cute appearance and ability to thrive in various conditions.
Love the Bear paw plant? Check out the similarly cute with soft, fuzzy leaves, Panda plant!
Light Requirement
Indoors give your bear paw succulent as much light as possible. The best spot is a bright south-facing window where it gets about six hours of indirect sunlight every day.
Leaf tips might turn deep red if it gets a lot of bright light. Rotate your bear paw regularly so it gets adequate light on all sides and grows evenly.
It can grow in lower light but the color may fade and growth will slow down and get leggy. If you can’t provide enough light, consider getting a grow light.
Watering
The Bears paw succulent plant is very drought-resistant. Like most succulents, it stores water in its leaves. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When you do water, be generous. This is called the soak-and-dry method. Saturate the soil, then let it dry out before watering again.
Only water your Bear paw like this in spring and summer. Slow down watering in fall and water very sparingly in winter.
Be careful not to water too often. Overwatering is the most common problem with these plants and can lead to root rot. Overwatered leaves are soft and mushy, turning yellow and dropping off.
If in doubt, don’t water yet. Underwatering is easier to fix than overwatering. If you are unsure if it is time to water, you can purchase a moisture meter to help you out and read up on How to water succulents.
Fertilizing
Bear paws are not very needy when it comes to fertilizer. You can fertilize your plant to supplement poor soil or to give it a boost during the growing season.
Fertilize once a month in spring and summer with a diluted liquid succulent fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing in the winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.
It’s always better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize, as excessive nutrients can harm the plant. If you notice any signs of fertilizer burn, such as brown or crispy leaf tips, reduce the frequency or strength of the fertilizer.
Humidity
Bear paw succulents like warm temperatures and are not very needy regarding humidity. They prefer medium to high humidity levels but can grow in lower household humidity conditions. No need for misting or using a humidifier to raise the humidity.
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Soil and Repotting
Bears paw succulents don’t need to be repotted very often. Repot in spring in a pot one size up when roots have filled the pot, or when you see roots growing from the bottom.
Every two to three years repot even if your plant still has room to grow. The soil will have lost its nutrients and will need to be replaced with fresh well-draining succulent soil.
Make sure the new pot has drainage holes on the bottom. Without those, excess water has no way to get out and will drown the roots.
The best time to repot your bear paw is in spring. At the beginning of the growing season, it will be in the best condition to handle being repotted.
Wait at least four to six months after repotting, before using any fertilizer. The potting mix usually already has fertilizer in it.
Read more: How to repot your houseplants.
Bear Paw Succulent Propagation
Bear paw succulents are best propagated by rooting stem cuttings in soil. Single leaves can be propagated, but have a much lower success rate.
Propagation can be done at any time of year but is best done during the active growing period in spring or early summer. The warmer weather and abundance of light will encourage new growth.
Propagate Cuttings in Soil
The easiest way to propagate your bear paw succulent is to plant stem cuttings in soil.
- Take a stem cutting with at least a few sets of leaves. Remove the bottom leaves.
- Let the cutting dry and callus over for about 2-3 days.
- Place your cutting in the potting soil, covering the part where you have removed the bottom leaves.
- Place the cuttings in indirect light and water very lightly
- Wait until you see new growth. At this point, you can continue with regular care.
Try to not disturb your plant while it is establishing itself. Give the plant a very gentle tug if you really must. If you feel resistance it means roots are growing under the soil. Just don’t do this too often.
To speed up the process you can use a rooting hormone powder on your cuttings. Dip the bottom 1/4 inch of the cuttings in water first, then dip in rooting powder before you plant it.
Read more: How to Propagate Succulents.
Do Bear Paw Succulents Bloom Indoors?
Bear paw succulents can bloom and grow flowers indoors if their conditions are just right and they are receiving plenty of light. The flowers have a pretty bell shape and come in light yellow, pink, and orange.
They usually grow in spring. Don’t worry if your bear paw doesn’t bloom. Many indoor succulents don’t.
Read more: how to get your indoor succulents to flower.
Is a Bear Paw Succulent Plant Toxic to Cats?
The Cotyledon tomentosa is considered mildly toxic when ingested.
Although it is uncommon for pets to get seriously hurt from eating plants, keep this one out of reach of children and pets.
Read more: Keep Your Pets Safe: Identify Toxic Plants in Your Home.
More Easy to Care for Succulents
Looking for more houseplants? Check out these other popular succulent articles.