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4.4 out of 5 (68 experiences)


Also known as
Kitten Paw
Taxonomy
Cotyledon tomentosa
Cotyledon
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales

How to care for Bear's Paw

How often to water your Bear's Paw

every 12
Bear's Paw needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Bear's Paw in your home

a window
Bear's Paw love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Bear's Paw does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bear's Paw in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Bear's Paw

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bear's Paw after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Bear's Paw is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Bear's Paw thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Bear's Paw requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Bear's Paw is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Bear's Paw prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Bear's Paw is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
Fertilizer
Bear's Paw grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Bear's Paw to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Bear's Paw is native to Southern Africa to the Middle East.
Flowers
Bear's Paw produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Bear's Paw is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Bear's Paw can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Bear's Paw can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Bear's Paw. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Bear's Paw
Bear's Paw
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












This is the cutest succulent ever, if you’ve been thinking about getting one you should ! Peak growth season is during the Spring and Fall. The leaves are so chonky, and adorable. I grow mine under a grow light and she’s a really happy plant ! I’ve had her for almost a year and she bloomed for me already. 🥰🌿
Make sure you don’t overwater and have enough light to make sure they’re growing properly. I usually wait until the leaves start to wrinkle a little to make sure I’m not overwatering !




