Bear Paw / Kitten Paws
Cotyledon tomentosa
description
Bear Paw is a shrubby succulent with fuzzy leaves tipped by claw-like markings.
benefits
- Low—water tolerant
- Сan handle lower humidity level
- Drought-tolerant — forgives missed waterings
- Low maintenance
- Suitable for containers
warnings
- Toxic to cats
- Toxic to dogs
How to care for Bear Paw
sunlight
Bear Paw grows on bright, open rocky slopes in South Africa. Give it the sunniest spot you have indoors to keep its fuzzy leaves compact and its claw tips well colored.
Bright indirect light - tolerated
A bright room near an east, south, or west window can work, but growth may become stretched without some direct sun.
Bright light with direct sun
Ideally, provide several hours of gentle direct sun, such as morning sun or filtered south-facing light. Acclimate it gradually to stronger sun, especially after winter, to prevent scorch.
watering
Let the potting mix dry out completely before watering again. Water deeply until it drains, then empty the saucer so the roots do not sit wet.
Bright, active growth
In spring and autumn, or whenever it is making new leaves, water about every 2-3 weeks. Check that the mix is dry throughout the root ball and the pot feels noticeably light first.
Cool, dim, or very warm months
Growth often slows in winter and during hot summer spells, so water roughly every 4-6 weeks. Use less often in low light, cool rooms, large pots, or dense soil, and more often in bright warmth and a fast-draining mix.
humidity
Preferred humidity
Bear Paw comes from dry, well-aired parts of South Africa, so average indoor air suits it well. It is generally comfortable from about 25-50% humidity.
If the air is very dry
Prolonged heated or hot, dry air can contribute to slight leaf wrinkling or crisp edges, but thirsty roots are a more common cause. Check that the potting mix is being watered thoroughly when dry before raising humidity.
- Do not mist the foliage, as trapped moisture can encourage fungal problems.
- If humidity stays below 25%, move it away from heating vents or run a humidifier nearby, aiming for a modest 30-40%.
temperature
Preferred range
Winter minimum
Native to South Africa, Bear Paw enjoys warm, dry conditions and cooler winters. Keep it above 10°C (50°F), especially when the soil is damp, and give it good airflow during hot spells above 27°C (80°F).
nutrition
September - April
Feed about once every 4-6 weeks while your Bear Paw is making new growth. Use a liquid cactus or succulent fertilizer at half the label strength. Stop feeding during the hot summer rest period, and whenever growth has paused.
Nitrogen
A modest supply supports compact new leaves, but too much can make growth soft and more prone to rot. A diluted succulent fertilizer provides enough.
Potassium
Potassium supports sturdy growth and general resilience. It is included in balanced cactus and succulent feeds, so no separate supplement is needed.
soil
Gritty, fast-draining soil
Bear Paw stores water in its fuzzy leaves, so its roots need an airy mix that dries quickly. Use cactus soil loosened with plenty of pumice, perlite, or coarse grit, and always plant in a pot with drainage holes.
pH 6,0 - 7,0
This is slightly acidic to neutral, a range most cactus and succulent mixes naturally provide. A fresh, peat or coir-based succulent mix with mineral grit is usually suitable without extra adjustment.