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Bear Paw Succulent Cotyledon tomentosa
Few succulents earn their name as perfectly as the Bear Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa): every plump, velvety leaf ends in a row of little teeth that flush dark red in sun, so the whole plant looks like a crowd of tiny, fuzzy bear paws waving. It grows into a small shrub, flowers in orange bells, and is completely irresistible on a windowsill — with one catch: those adorable paws detach easily if handled roughly, so it rewards a gentle owner.
| Common names | Bear Paw, Bear's Paw, Kitten Paw |
| Botanical name | Cotyledon tomentosa |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Mature size | 1–2 ft, shrubby |
| Light | Bright light with some direct sun; shade from harsh afternoon inland sun |
| Water | Low — soak, then let dry; sensitive to overwatering |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 9–11 (protect from frost) |
| Flowers | Orange bell-shaped blooms, spring |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (leaves rarely succeed) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets if ingested — keep out of reach |
🌱 Buy Live Bear Paw Cuttings
Fresh-cut Cotyledon tomentosa stems from our Los Angeles garden — fuzzy paws, red claws and all.
Shop Cuttings on Etsy →How to identify Cotyledon tomentosa
The combination is unique: thick oval leaves covered in fine white felt (tomentosa means "hairy"), each tipped with a row of triangular teeth — the claws — that color up burgundy under good light. Plants slowly build woody stems into a compact shrub. The main lookalike confusion is with fuzzy Kalanchoes like Panda Plant, but those lack the distinct clawed leaf tip.
Bear Paw care
Light. Bright light with several hours of gentle direct sun keeps growth compact and the claws red. Protect from brutal afternoon inland sun, which can scorch the felted leaves.
Water. The make-or-break. Soak-and-dry with real discipline — Bear Paw sulks and drops leaves in soggy soil, and its fuzzy leaves mean you should water the soil, not the plant. When in doubt, wait.
Soil. Extra-gritty and fast-draining, in a pot with a drainage hole.
Temperature. Zones 9–11; keep above freezing. It appreciates airflow and dislikes humid, stagnant corners.
Handling. The paws snap off at a touch more easily than most succulent leaves — move the pot, not the plant, and expect a few casualties in any repot.
How to propagate Bear Paw
Unlike most Crassula-family plants, single leaves rarely make new plants — go with stem cuttings.
1. Cut a 2–4 inch stem tip with several healthy paws.
2. Callus 3–5 days in dry shade.
3. Plant shallowly in gritty, barely-moist soil.
4. Bright shade, sparse water. Roots take 3–4 weeks; resist the urge to tug or overwater while it settles.
New to cuttings? Follow our step-by-step 21-Day Rooting Guide, and match your delivery with the Succulent ID Chart.
Skip the wait — start with rooted-ready cuttings
We ship fresh Bear Paw stem cuttings that callus in transit and are ready to pot on arrival.
Shop Cuttings on Etsy →Common problems
Why are my Bear Paw's leaves falling off? Some drop from handling is just Bear Paw being Bear Paw. Steady leaf loss with soft, yellowing paws means the soil is staying wet — let it dry hard and ease way back on water.
Why aren't the claws turning red? More gentle direct sun — morning sun is ideal. The red claw color is sun stress, same as color in other succulents.
Can you propagate Bear Paw from a leaf? Leaves will sometimes root but almost never push a new plant. Stem cuttings with a few paws attached are the reliable route.
Is Bear Paw safe for pets? Keep it away from nibblers: Cotyledons are considered toxic to pets. A hanging shelf or closed plant room is the right home in a pet household.
Why is my Bear Paw wrinkling? That's the one clear "water me" signal this plant gives. Soak thoroughly; if paws stay wrinkled after watering, check that the roots haven't been lost to earlier rot.
Related pages
All Types of Succulents → · Elephant Bush · Jelly Bean · Succulent ID Chart