- The South African plant Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is also known as Cotyledon Bear Paw or Bear’s Paw. This species is extremely rare.
It is a 12-inch (30-cm) tall succulent shrublet. It has a velvety appearance thanks to its extensive branching and delicate, microscopic white hairs. Up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, succulent, lime-green leaves with creamy yellow variegation and occasionally reddish tips are available. These leaves often feature 1 to 3 “bear claw”-like apical teeth.
Late spring is when Cotyledon Bear’s Paw blooms with clusters of yellow to orange-red bell-shaped flowers.
Porous.
Beginning with the growing season, fertilize with a controlled-release product.
Sempervivum By separating offsets and replanting them in planting material, Grape Tone can be easily propagated.
Size & Growth
Fast-growing and like a bear’s paw, the bear claw cactus can reach heights of up to 20 inches and has bright green, hairy leaves with pointed points that look like teeth.
Three to ten “teeth” that can turn bright red are present on each leaf. The plant begins to mature as new paws sprout.
The leaves have a rough surface and are hairy. The plant is compact and lush throughout.
Flowering and Fragrance
Cotyledon In the spring, tomentosa succulents produce bell-shaped flowers.
The bear paw flower’s typical hues range from pinkish to orange-red to light yellow.
Light & Temperature
Although it doesn’t like direct sunshine with good airflow, the bear claw cactus prefers bright light.
Make sure to place the tomentosa plant where it will receive at least six hours per day of bright, direct sunlight.
If you’re growing a plant indoors, put it close to a south-facing window so it gets enough of light.
Watering and Feeding
In the summer, when the soil feels dry to the touch, these succulent plants prefer to be thoroughly watered.
Watering during the winter should be done with caution, though, as plants lose roots when exposed to extended periods of cold or wet soil.
The soak and dry method is optimal, and you should make sure the soil is totally dry in between waterings.
For plants in pots, make sure to fully soak the soil until water begins to flow out of the bottom of the pot.
Just enough water is needed over the winter to prevent the soil from drying up completely.
Feed this plant once every two weeks during the growing season, which is usually in the summer, with a light, balanced all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer for succulents.
Soil Mix & Transplanting
This plant, which is indigenous to South Africa, thrives on rocky quartz fields with excellent drainage provided by porous soil.
Use a pot with at least one drainage hole at the bottom if you’re planting inside.
Make sure to pick a container that is a little bigger than the root system.
On order to avoid root rot, Cotyledon Tomentosa flourishes in a soil mixture that drains effectively.
Are bear paw succulents sun-sensitive?
Place your Cotyledon Tomentosa near a south-facing window or in a sunny area where it may get at least six hours of indirect light per day if you wish to keep it as a house plant.
However, you must first locate a great, shady area if you want to view your tiny paws next to your other succulents in the garden. Preferably in a well-lit area that is sheltered and out of direct sunshine so that their tiny paws won’t burn. Overwatering can easily harm Bear’s Paw because it is such a delicate plant. So take into account growing them in an area where water doesn’t pool after rain or irrigation on a slightly sandy, well-drained soil.
Also take note that Cotyledon Tomentosa is not cold hardy and is susceptible to death at temperatures below 30 °F (-1 C). Therefore, if you live somewhere where the weather becomes too cold, consider growing them in a container or pot that can be taken indoors with ease. It is also recommended to refrain from giving them food and water during this period.
My bear paws are vanishing—why?
In the winter, the requirement for light decreases as the temperature rises. Keep your bear paw succulents out of the warm living room if they want to hibernate. The leaves stay put even in the dead of winter in a bright, comfortable space.
Wet Substrate
Succulents with bear paws have a clever method of retaining water in their leaves, branches, and roots. They are able to survive in difficult environments all over the world in this way. It is not necessary for the soil to be consistently moist in order for sap-rich growth to occur. Bear paw succulents, on the other hand, require dry, poor soil. Leaf fall is inevitable if the roots become flooded.
The maximum size of a bear paw succulent
Just wait—if you thought mermaid succulents were cute, you’ll like bear paw succulents. The plant not only has the appearance of being formed of tiny, fluffy, green bear paws, but it also makes you feel cozy and warm whenever you look at it.
Bear paw succulents, also known as Cotyledon Tomentosa, have thick, fluffy green leaves with dark red toothed edges. They are a low-growing plant, but according to online succulent vendor Succulents Box, they can grow to a height of over 30 centimeters. Even better, in the spring, they typically produce orange, bell-shaped flowers.
How often should a bear paw succulent be watered?
When it comes to watering, Bear’s Paw is similar to most succulents in that they prefer their roots to be sopped up but need time to air dry. Overwatering makes succulents very unhappy! Watering your plant once a week is often safe, and you should water it less during the winter when it is dormant.
Simply touch the ground if you’re ever unsure. It will likely be ready for a drink when it feels dry to the touch. Give it a bit more time if the soil is wet or damp.
The bear paw succulent blooms, or not?
Put the plant in a well-lit area both inside and outside. Some advocate getting a full sunspot, but the majority only suggest getting used to the early sun. Naturally, this is influenced by the season and place.
In more southern regions, the afternoon light may be too strong for the plant, resulting in leaf drop. The majority of producers advise six hours of direct, bright light. Once you’ve found your plant, you can make a judgment.
During the spring, the contented bear claw may grow sizable, orange bell-shaped flowers. Water it in the early spring if your climate allows it to continue growing outdoors through the winter. To promote blooming, you can lightly fertilize after watering with phosphorous-rich food. Avoid using too much water in the winter. This plant is dormant in the summer and not cold-hardy.
Is it possible to grow a bear paw succulent from a leaf?
Cotyledon It is impossible to grow Tomentosa from leaves. Many succulents can do this, however The Bear’s Paw does not have the ability to sprout an entire new plant from a leaf. For this plant to successfully reproduce, a stem part is required.
Cuttings are the quickest and most dependable method of Cotyledon Tomentosa propagation. We advise that the plant be mature and that there be several good-sized branches from which to choose. Although the cuttings don’t need to be large, they must have at least six leaves. Since the plant is winter-dormant, spring is the ideal time to propagate it. Roots should begin to form in about 3 weeks if propagated throughout the growing season.
It may take years before seeds germinate and mature into a respectable-sized plant, but seed propagation is technically achievable.
When should a bear’s paw be repotted?
The bear paw, like the majority of succulents, stores water in its large, thick leaves in case of drought.
Water often when the soil is entirely dry. The growing environment will determine the precise timing. Season, plant location, humidity, kind of soil and container, etc.
Checking and touching the leaves is the best way to determine when to water your bear paw. Do they have a firm, swollen feel? Are they getting thinner or are they getting fuller? When leaves are thirsty, they may begin to curl inward like a deep spoon.
Check the soil as well. Insert your finger 1 inch deep into the earth. Don’t water it if it seems damp; instead, wait a few days and recheck. Water deeply if the soil appears to be dry.
Deep breathing. If you water, you can offer a thorough soak. However, avoid overwatering by not watering enough. The roots can begin to decay when the soil is kept perpetually excessively wet. This might be bad for your plant.
You can buy a moisture meter to assist you choose when to water or not, and you can read up on How to water succulents for a quick refresher on watering succulents.
Water from the bottom of the plant or use a watering can with a long nozzle. Simply fill a bowl or cachepot with water to accomplish this. Placing your bear paw inside will allow it to absorb the water through the drainage holes in the pot’s base.
Don’t mist your succulent bear paw. It prefers dry air and does not require humidity.
When the plant goes dormant in the winter, water it less frequently. Just enough water should be applied to prevent the soil from drying out completely and the leaves from turning brown.
When your bear paw plant is vigorously growing in the spring and summer, feed it once a month with a diluted liquid succulent fertilizer. When the plant becomes dormant and its growth slows down in the winter, avoid fertilizing.
Are cats poisonous to bear paw plants?
The Succulent Bear’s Paw, a cat-safe plant, features dense stems that resemble shrubs and flat, hairy leaves that are squishy in texture.
Bear paw—is it a cactus?
A species of flowering plant from the crassulaceae family that is indigenous to South Africa is called Cotyledon tomentosa. It is an evergreen succulent shrub with thick, ovate-shaped leaves that are fuzzy green. The distinctive “tooth” at the tips of its leaves have earned its autonymous subspecies the nickname “the bear’s paw.” In the spring, it develops enormous orange bell-shaped flowers. Cotyledons typically grow in rocky quartz fields in their natural environment, the Little Karoo region of South Africa, where the soil is relatively porous and provides great drainage.
How is a bear paw kept alive?
The bear paw plant needs regular deep watering during the summer while it is actively growing. When there isn’t rain, deeply water garden plants once a week with about 1 inch of water. Watering for potted plants is necessary when the soil has almost entirely dried out.