Are you someone who’s always wanted a pet bear but shied away because of the fear of getting mauled? Then say hello to the Cotyledon tomentosa, or bear paw, a fuzzy succulent with paw shaped leaves! You can cuddle this bear anytime without fear.
Native to South Africa, bear paws belong to the crassula family, just like many succulents such as jades! In addition to their chunky clusters of paws, they also grow large, orange bell-shaped flowers. They need a lot of light to produce blooms, so be patient and your wish will be granted!
Give your bear paw six hours of sun in a south-facing window. Make sure the sun does not directly touch the leaves or they will burn. Similar to most succulents, they are extremely sensitive to overwatering, so make sure it’s potted into a sandy, well-draining soil in a pot with holes. Water them deeply only when the soil is 100% dried out. This will happen about every 10-14 days. If your paws start to shrivel, you’ve waited too long! You’ll notice your pot will be lighter than normal and the soil will slightly pull away from the edges of the pot when it’s ready for a drink. Pour the water in and let it drain completely before returning it to its home. A particularly convenient feature of this loveable succulent is that it rarely needs to be repotted. It’ll be content in the same pot for a long time. You’ll start to see roots popping out of the drainage holes when it needs a bigger home, which could take anywhere from 2-3 years, give or take!
