Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bears Paw' Yellow Variegated

Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' Yellow Variegated is an uncommon variegated form of the familiar Bear's Paw, producing thick, softly hairy leaves patterned in green and warm yellow to yellow-green. The characteristic claw-like tips develop contrasting pink, red to burgundy colouring, particularly under suitable light and seasonal conditions.

Yellow & Green Variegation

The fleshy leaves are densely covered with fine hairs, retaining the soft, velvety texture characteristic of Bear's Paw. Yellow variegation develops in irregular sectors and patches through the green foliage, with the amount and distribution varying naturally between leaves, branches and individual plants.

Unlike the strongly variegated White Variegated form, this plant generally retains a substantial amount of green, chlorophyll-containing tissue. In our experience it is consequently a hardy, vigorous plant that grows readily under normal succulent conditions. The yellow variegation can range from relatively subtle markings to broad areas of yellow across individual leaves.

Maintaining the Yellow Variegation

The main characteristic to be aware of with Yellow Variegated Bear's Paw is its tendency to revert. Individual branches or offsets can sometimes develop completely green foliage, essentially returning to the appearance of regular Bear's Paw.

To maintain the yellow variegation, fully green reverted growth should be removed when it appears. Because completely green shoots contain more chlorophyll, they can grow more vigorously than the variegated portions. If left unchecked, this green growth can gradually become dominant and substantially reduce the yellow-variegated portion of the plant.

Remove a fully green shoot back to the point where it originates from variegated growth, while retaining branches and offsets that continue to display good yellow variegation. Checking the plant occasionally for reverted growth is generally all that is required to maintain its variegated appearance.

This tendency to revert also makes Yellow Variegated Bear's Paw more difficult for us to propagate consistently than the White Variegated form. Although the plant itself is hardy and easy to grow, not every new branch or offset retains the yellow variegation. Suitable variegated growth therefore occurs less consistently, which is one reason this form is less frequently available.

Growing Yellow Variegated Bear's Paw

Grow in a free-draining succulent mix in a bright position with good airflow. Good light helps maintain compact growth and encourages stronger colouring in both the yellow variegation and the reddish claw-like leaf tips. Acclimatise plants gradually when moving them from protected conditions into substantially stronger direct sunlight.

Water thoroughly when required and allow the growing medium to dry appropriately between waterings. Avoid keeping the root zone continuously wet, particularly during cooler conditions. The fine hairs covering the leaves can retain surface moisture, so good airflow is beneficial.

Related Bear's Paw Forms

We also grow the regular Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' and Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' White Variegated. The White Variegated form develops considerably paler cream to near-white foliage and has much more stable variegation, although its reduced chlorophyll makes it somewhat more demanding to grow than the Yellow Variegated form.

Another closely related plant is Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis 'Kitten Paws', which shares the characteristic softly hairy foliage but develops a different leaf shape with fewer prominent paw-like tips.

Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear's Paw' Yellow Variegated plants for sale shown in 70mm pots. You will receive same or similar plants as those shown in images. Colours and the amount and pattern of variegation will vary naturally between plants and according to time of year and growing conditions.