The bear’s paw succulent, also known as the “cotyledon tomentosa” is a very beautiful unique succulent that many succulent lovers want to grow!

This succulent has beautiful, thick, fuzzy, green leaves that look absolutely amazing. It also has around 3-10 pointy “teeth” around the edges of the leaves. That is why it’s called the bear’s paw succulent! It truly looks like a bear’s paw!

This amazing succulent can grow fairly large, all the way up to 12 inches tall, and 24 inches wide. It grows larger outdoors but you can still grow this succulent fairly large indoors, just you will need to keep repotting it in a bigger pot to do so.

The bear’s paw succulent can be grown indoors or outdoors, it’s your choice! It can also be grown in any location, just as long as the weather is warm and the conditions are ideal for growing succulents.

This succulent isn’t cold hardy, so don’t even try to grow it during the winter or if it’s cold outside. Definitely move it indoors before winter arrives and then move it back outside when the weather warms back up!

The bear’s paw succulent is very easy to grow and care for! By the end of this article you will know all of the exact grow and care requirements to grow healthy and happy bear’s paw succulent plants.

 

QUICK FACTS:

Give full sun to partial shade

Plant Growth: 12 inches tall, 24 inches wide

Cold Hardiness: Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1° C)

Summer Dormant

Not Cold Hardy

Propagation: Cuttings, leaves, seeds.

 

Bear’s Paw Succulent Care 

 

SOIL FOR BEAR'S PAW SUCCULENT

 

 

This soil is the most perfect soil for the Bear's Paw Succulent. This succulent soil has 2 of the fastest draining ingredients out there sand and perlite. Sand and perlite will protect your Bear's Paw Succulent from root rot. Root rot is known as the #1 most common reason why a succulent will die and it happens a lot.

This soil will help your Bear's Paw Succulent grow healthy, happy, and of course protect it from root rot which is much needed. This soil is also loaded with 60+ minerals and nutrients from seaweed fertilizer. Your Bear's Paw Succulent will grow bigger, faster, and stronger in this soil because it will be absorbing many nutrients from the seaweed in the soil. 

This is amazing soil for your Bear's Paw Succulent and you should definitely consider it when growing this succulent. Your Bear's Paw Succulent will just simply love it and will grow super healthy, faster, bigger, and happier when grown in this soil.

 

 

WATERING

You should water the Bear’s Paw Succulent 1-3 days a week or when the soil looks or feels very dry. You must make sure to avoid overwatering so root rot does not occur and kill your succulent plant. It's important to use the 'soak and dry' method and only water when the soil looks or feels very dry. Be on the lookout for underwatering and overwatering.

 

POT FOR BEAR'S PAW SUCCULENT

It's important to use a succulent pot with a drainage hole. This will allow the excess water to drain out of the bottom of the drainage hole, keeping the soil dry and preventing overwatering and root rot. It's very important that your succulent pot has a drainage hole, most experience succulent growers know that having a succulent pot with a drainage hole is a must when growing any succulent. If your succulent pot doesn't have a drainage hole no problem! Check out our article on how to grow succulents in pots without drainage holes.

 

WHERE TO PLANT THE BEAR'S PAW SUCCULENT

The Bear’s Paw Succulent isn't cold hardy, so make sure you avoid growing this succulent outdoors during the cold winter season. Avoid growing in temperatures under 30° F (-1.1° C) it will die in cold and freezing temperatures. Make sure to move and grow this succulent indoors during the cold winter season. You can then move it back outdoors once the weather gets warmer. Make sure to grow it outdoors in a succulent pot or container so you can easily move it when you need to. 

Plant in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight every single day. Make sure this succulent gets enough sun so it can grow healthy, produce its colors, and avoid etiolation. If growing indoors make sure to place it where it gets enough sunlight. If your house doesn't get enough sunlight, try investing into some grow lights. 

HOW TO PROPAGATE THE BEAR'S PAW SUCCULENT

Leaves:

For leaf propagation, gently just twist and pull the leaf very gently off the stem. It’s very important that you get the full leaf and not let part of the leaf stay on the stem. To make sure you get a very precise cut you can get some trimmers and cut the leaf off. After you cut your leaves off the stem you must make sure you let them sit out for 2-4 days so they can form a callus. After the leaves have formed a callus, go ahead and plant them in well-drained succulent soil.

Cuttings:

Same thing as for leaf propagation, but this time you will need trimmers to get a clean cut of the cuttings. Cut off the cutting at an angle with trimmers, and make sure there’s enough room to plant the cuttings. Let the cutting form a callus by waiting 2-4 days. After a callus forms then go ahead and plant the cutting in well-drained succulent soil.

Seeds:

You must use a fairly large planting tray. Fill the try with well-drained succulent soil then plant the seeds in the soil and water immediately. Grow in full sun and continue to water accordingly. It's best to do Seed propagation  during warmer times such as spring and summer. You can always use a grow light or a seed warmer to help. Seed propagation does take a very long time, so make sure you are patient with it.

 

 

 

The bear’s paw succulent is such an amazing, beautiful succulent that every succulent lover needs to grow! I mean come on! It literally looks like a bear’s paw, that’s incredible!

They will truly make the most beautiful and unique indoor or outdoor garden decoration! Every succulent lover definitely needs to add this succulent to their garden!

The bear’s paw succulent is very easy to grow and care for! You now know all the grow and care requirements to grow the most beautiful, healthy, and happy bear’s paw sucuclents! Best of lucky growing and caring for them!