Project Description
Cotyledon tomentosa
Bear’s Paw
It’s easy to see where this shrubby succulent gets its name! The thick, fuzzy leaves have 3 to 10 “teeth” at the end, similar to the paws of a bear. When “happily stressed,” the leaf tips turn a deep red.
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial shade
Typical water needs for a succulent
Plant grows up to 12″ (30.5 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) wide
Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by cuttings, leaves (difficult), and seeds
*Can be mildly toxic to pets and humans
Summer Dormant
Also available from Etsy, and a variegated variety is available from Leaf and Clay.
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Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Cotyledon tomentosa “Bear’s Paw”
“Bear’s Paw” is an adorable succulent that is easy to care for. It does require lots of light, so keep this in mind when planting. It’s a great succulent for beginner growers.
*While Cotyledon tomentosa “Bear’s Paw” is generally considered non-toxic, there have been reports that it can be mildly toxic.
Watering
Cotyledon tomentosa has typical watering needs. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Since Cotyledon tomentosa is not cold hardy, if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (-1° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If planting indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere).
Pairs Well With
How to Propagate Cotyledon tomentosa “Bear’s Paw”
“Bear’s Paw” is able to propagate several different ways, however the easiest way is through cuttings.
Cuttings
To grow Cotyledon tomentosa from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Leaves
It can be quite difficult to propagate “Bear’s Paw” from leaves, so a high success rate should not be expected.
When taking a leaf for propagation, gently twist the leaf from the stem. Be sure that the leaf you get is a “clean pull,” where no part of the leaf is left on the stem. This will give you a better chance of a successful propagation.
Allow the leaf to callous over for a day or two before placing it on well-draining soil.
Seeds
If propagating from seed, sow in a well-draining soil in the fall. You can grow seeds outdoors if you live in an zone above 9a. If you live in a cooler area, you can begin sowing indoors under a grow light.
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My bear paw is flowering right now!! I’m so sad that I can’t pollinate it as only one plant is flowering but I’m happy knowing it is healthy!
Also, I water my bear paw based on how “tight” the leaves are. If they are adequately watered, the leaves will fill extremely tight, not squishy at all. When it needs water, the leaves will feel more squishy and like an actual plant. I’ve based my watering off of this method for a few months now and it’s still extremely healthy!
Lol! You shake hands with your plant to see if it wants water! Cute!
I’ve had my bear paw since it was a pup and it’s gorgeous and healthy but, it doesn’t have the brown coloring on the tips anymore like it did when I bought it. Any tips to get the color back?
It could be the amount of sunlight it’s getting. You could try to acclimate it slowly back into more sun and see if that helps.