Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bears Paw'

Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' is a compact South African succulent recognised by its thick, softly hairy leaves with toothed tips resembling the claws of a small bear's paw. The combination of velvety green foliage and contrasting reddish-brown leaf tips gives this species its distinctive appearance.

Soft, Fuzzy Bear-Paw Leaves

The fleshy green leaves are densely covered with fine hairs, giving them their characteristic soft, velvety surface. Several small teeth develop around the end of each mature leaf, with the tips often colouring reddish-brown to burgundy under suitable light and seasonal conditions.

Plants gradually branch as they mature, developing into small succulent shrubs with numerous pairs of leaves. Good light helps maintain compact growth and encourages stronger colouring at the leaf tips.

Orange Bell-Shaped Flowers

Established plants can produce upright flower stems carrying clusters of orange to orange-red tubular, bell-shaped flowers. The flower buds and stems are also softly hairy, continuing the characteristic texture of the foliage.

In our nursery in Victoria, 'Bear's Paw' generally flowers during early to mid autumn, although flowering time can vary with seasonal and growing conditions. Plants offered for sale may therefore be flowering, developing buds or have no flowers depending on the time of year.

Growing Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw'

Grow in a free-draining succulent mix in a bright position with good airflow. Plants can tolerate direct sun once properly acclimatised, although some protection from prolonged intense Australian summer afternoon sun can be beneficial, particularly for plants previously grown under protected conditions.

Water thoroughly when required and allow the growing medium to dry appropriately between waterings. Avoid keeping the root zone continuously wet, particularly during cooler periods when growth and water use may be reduced. The softly hairy leaves can hold moisture on their surface, so good airflow is particularly useful.

Related Bear's Paw Forms & Kitten Paws

We also grow two variegated forms of Bear's Paw. Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' White Variegated develops contrasting green and cream to white foliage, while Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' Yellow Variegated produces warmer yellow to cream variegation. Both retain the characteristic softly hairy, claw-tipped leaves of the regular green form.

Another closely related plant we grow is Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis 'Kitten Paws'. It shares the softly hairy foliage and orange to red-orange flowers of Bear's Paw but has its own distinctive leaf shape and paw-like tips, making the differences particularly interesting when the two are grown alongside one another.

Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' plants for sale shown in 70mm pots. You will receive same or similar plants as those shown in images. Colours will vary naturally according to time of year and growing conditions. Plants may or may not be in flower or have developing buds depending on the time of year.