Bear's Paw Succulent (Cotyledon tomentosa) Care Indoors, Propagation and Common Growing Issues

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Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear's Paw Succulent) grows best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and loose, fast draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Cotyledon tomentosa also called Bear Claw Succulent or Cat Paw Succulent is among the popular succulent plants which bears large, chunky, ovate, fuzzy, light-green leaves.

Bear's Paw Succulent leaves have prominent 'teeth' at the tips which turn deep red in bright light and look-like a bears claws and this gives this plant its common name.

Cotyledon tomentosa has two subspecies; Cotyledon tomentosa subs. tomentosa and Cotyledon tomentosa subs. ladismithiensis. The latter is smaller, less branched and bears a brown peeling bark while the former is larger, highly branched and has green hairy branches.

Botanical name: Cotyledon tomentosa
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Bear's Paw Succulent, Bear Claw Succulent, Cat Paw Succulent

Origin

Cotyledon tomentosa is native to South Africa in the Little Karoo arid region. It is found growing in quartz fields where the soils are very porous and well-drained.

Size

Bear's Paw Succulent grows to a height 1 foot and and about 2 feet wide.

Flowers

Bear's Paw Succulent Succulent blooms in spring with large orange bell-shaped flowers which are borne on a stalk above the foliage.

Toxicity

Cotyledon tomentosa like other Cotyledon plants is considered toxic to both humans and pets. As outlined by Wikipedia, some plants in the Cotyledon Genus have been found to cause stock losses among goats, pigs and poultry.

Related Plants

Bear's Paw Succulent is related to the following plants which are also great plants for the home.

1. Cotyledon undulata (Silver Crown Plant)

2. Cotyledon campanulata (Bell-flowered Cotyledon)

3. Cotyledon pendens (Cliff Cotyledon)

4. Cotyledon orbiculata (Pig's Ear Plant)

5. Cotyledon velutina (Velvet Cotyledon)

Where to Buy

If you would like to add Bear's Paw Succulent to your collection, you may obtain these plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

Cotyledon tomentosa Care Indoors

Cotyledon tomentosa performs best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-26⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and loose, fast draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Bear's Paw Succulent repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat and to minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Like all succulents, Bear's Paw Succulent hates overwatering and soggy soil. It is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method.

Water Cotyledon tomentosa deeply during the growing season until water comes out through the drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Cut down on watering in the cold period as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need a lot of water for growth.

Only use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid plant shock as it can result in leaf drop and reduced growth.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent the Cotyledon tomentosa from sitting in soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Be careful not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead and always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.

Light Requirements

Cotyledon tomentosa requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. Keep it away or shield it from hot direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Bear Claw Succulent can also be grown under a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

It can be grown outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place first to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Cotyledon tomentosa requires an average warmth of 15-26⁰C during the growing season and a minimum of 5⁰C in the cold season. Keep it away from frost and cold drafts from windy doors and windows, air conditioning units among others as prolonged exposure can cause leaf drop and the death of the plant.

Cotyledon tomentosa has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Keep the leaves clean by brushing with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.

Make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant and do not mist it to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventillated conditions.

Fertilizer

Feed Cotyledon tomentosa monthly during the growing season with a cactus and succulents fertilizer to boost growth.

Do not feed in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Potting Medium

The best potting soil for Cotyledon tomentosa should be coarse, low in organic matter and one that drains fast to prevent it from holding too much water. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out easily. Cactus and succulents soils are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Cotyledon tomentosa at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound or when the potting medium has completely broken down. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess moisture.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Use a clay pot rather than a plastic or ceramic pot as a clay pot is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster to keep it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these clay (terracotta) pots available on Amazon.

Make sure that the soil is dry before repotting. Take the Cotyledon tomentosa out of its pot and brush off soil from the roots. Snip off any dead or dry roots and treat the wounds with a fungicidal solution.

Position the plant in the center of its new pot and back fill with fresh, loose, fast-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot.

Do not fill the pot completely but allow about 1 in. unfilled for watering purposes.

Replace the plant to its display position and keep it dry for about 5-7 days to minimize the risk of rot-root disease.

Pruning

Pruning Cotyledon tomentosa is easy as it involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries to reduce fungal disease infestations.

Propagation

Bear's Paw Succulent propagation can be be at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings and leaf cuttings.

Cotyledon tomentosa propagation from stem cuttings

Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Cotyledon tomentosa and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.

Once callused, insert the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in moist, well-drained, rooting soil.

Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight and ensure that there is good air circulate to discourage fungal diseases.

Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings have rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.

Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Bear's Paw Succulent after which routine care can begin.

Cotyledon tomentosa propagation from leaf cuttings

Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy Cotyledon tomentosa. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.

When calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moist, fast-draining, rooting mix while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.

Postion the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaf cuttings.

Maintain the soil slightly moist through out. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

With time, the leaf cutting will form roots and eventually a small rosette will form at the base of the leaf cutting. This may take from 4-6 weeks.

Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new Bear's Paw Succulent into its own pot after which routine care can begin.

Cotyledon tomentosa Problems and Solutions

Bear's Paw Succulent problems include leaf drop, leggy growth, yellowing leaves, wilting and droopy leaves, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Diseases

Cotyledon tomentosa is also prone to powdery mildew which is prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil as directed by the manufacturer. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant.

Water your Bear's Paw Succulent from the bottom to avoid wetting the foliage and always allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Do not let the plant sit in soggy soil; always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.

Pests

Common pests in Cotyledon tomentosa are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants. Spray the plant with an insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves in Cotyledon tomentosa are due to a number of reasons. If accompanied by mushy stems the cause is overwatering or soggy soil which results in too much water in the soil.

Take care not to overwater this succulent by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings and ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

The second reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is underwatering if the leaves are shrivelled (wrinkled) and droopy. Water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time.

The third reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is too little light. Ensure that the plant is receiving bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

The fourth reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is too low temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the plant away from windy windows and doors, air conditions units among others.

The fifth reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is watering the plant with too cold water which causes plant shock. Only water with water that is at room temperature to prevent plant shock.

The sixth reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is due to excessive touch or moving the plant too much. Keep the plant away from the line of traffic and avoid unnecessarily moving it around and take care when moving it.

The seventh reason for leaf drop in Bear's Paw Succulent is pest infestations. The plant is prone to sap-sucking pests like scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants and treat it with appropriate products to get rid of these pests.

Leggy stems and undersized leaves

Leggy stems and undersized leaves in Cotyledon tomentosa is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season.

Significantly, lessen watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water. In addition, ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

The second possible reason for leggy stems and undersized leaves in Bear's Paw Succulent is too little light during the growing season. Position the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Wilted (wrinkled) and drooping leaves

Wilted (wrinkled) and drooping leaves in Cotyledon tomentosa are caused by underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. Therefore, the plant cannot get enough water to take up to the leaves which loss their turgidity and begin to wilt.

To prevent wilting and wrinkled leaves, water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time.

Brown soft leaf spots

Brown soft leaf spots in Cotyledon tomentosa are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overdamp conditions. Improve the ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation at all times. Also, water the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.

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