It's easy to see where the common name for this plant comes from. With their fluffy texture and distinctive shape, each leaf of this succulent looks like a tiny, green paw. Silvery-green in colour, each leaf grows directly off central stems, with new growth sprouting at the top of each stem. And if you even need another reason to love it, this plant is easygoing and light on care needs. Give it a decent amount of sun and water it every now and again (once the soil has dried out) and this cute & fluffy succulent will reward you with more of its adorable foliage.
Scientific Name
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis (small cup plant, woolly species, subspecies from Ladismith, South Africa)
Synonyms: Cotyledon ladismithiensis
In the Crassulaceae family, this plant was first published in 1936 as Cotyledon ladismithensis, this was updated following a 1977 paper which found that it is in fact a subspecies of C. tomentosa
Common Name(s)
Bear's Paw, Bear Paw Succulent, Bear Paw Cactus, Fuzzy Cotyledon
Origin
This plant is native to rocky outcrops between the Laingsburg, Ladismith and Muiskraal regions of South Africa
Light
Your Bear Paws will do best with some direct sun. A windowledge facing east, west or south should work well. If you're putting it somewhere very bright, make sure to acclimatise it gradually to avoid sunburn. If it isn't getting enough light it will grow leggy and start to lose its colour.
Water
Let the soil dry out totally between waters, and when you water, make sure it gets a good soak. It's useful to grow in a pot with really good drainage with succulents like this one.
Humidity
Bear Paws prefer low to average indoor humidity. Avoid placing it in overly damp or humid environments to prevent rot.
Soil
Plant in a well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Added perlite, grit or sand in these mixes can improve drainage. Repot every 2-3 years to refresh the soil or when the plant outgrows its pot.
Food
Feed every couple of months in the spring-summer growing season. Feeding is less important in winter so you can pause feeding until the spring.
Temperature
Thrives in temperatures between 18-26°C. Protect from frost and temperatures below 5°C, as this plant is not frost-tolerant.
Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.
Sprouts Top Tips
The fuzzy 'bear paw' leaves can trap dust, so gently clean them with a soft brush or by blowing air on them to keep the plant looking its best and ensure it can still access the sunlight.
In ideal conditions, this plant can produce clusters of pink-orange, bell-shaped flowers on long stems during the growing season, adding a vibrant pop of colour.
