Succulent bear’s paw: how to care, and 30 cool photo ideas

How about bringing another succulent to your collection? So it is! We’re talking about the succulent bear’s paw.

From the name alone, you can imagine what lies ahead. This succulent has chubby, round leaves and, of course, full of hairs, which really makes it resemble a bear’s paw.

But the coincidences don’t stop there. The succulent bear’s paw even has small reddish spots on its extremities, like hand-painted fingernails. Just a charm!

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Originally from Africa, this succulent is considered small, but when planted directly in the ground it can reach up to 70 centimeters in height, making it an exotic and original shrub in gardens and flower beds.

Scientifically named Cotyledon tomentose, the succulent bear paw blooms every year in spring.

The flowers are small and delicate in shades ranging from yellow-orange to red.

The bear paw succulent, like all succulents, grows and thrives in poor, sandy, well-drained soils.

This means that the substrate for the bear’s paw succulent does not need to be rich in organic matter, but it must have a good drainage system so that excess water can be eliminated.

To plant the bear’s paw succulent, you can choose to use compost for succulents and cacti sold in garden stores, or even prepare your own substrate at home.

In the latter case, just mix equal parts of topsoil and coarse sand.

To plant the succulent bear’s paw in a pot, line the bottom of the container with stones, expanded clay, or charcoal. On top, add a layer of bedim blanket.

Only then fill it with earth. Place the bear’s paw succulent seedling in the middle of the pot and cover it with the rest of the compost.

Once this is done, leave the succulent in a well-lit place, but away from the sun for the first few days, so that the plant has time to root without suffering the aggression of the sun.

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Watering

The succulent bear’s paw is not chubby and furry for nothing. These plant characteristics are a natural protective resource that prevents the green pea from losing water to the environment in which it is exposed.

That is the succulent bear’s paw stores water inside. That’s why it doesn’t need to be watered often.

The ideal is to space the waterings every three or four days during the summer and up to a week during the winter or when the weather is very humid.

Fertilizing

The succulent bear paw is used to living in places with poor, sandy soil and little supply of organic matter.

Therefore, it is recommended not to over-fertilize, since too much fertilizer can do more harm than good to the plant.

If fertilizing, prefer the spring and summer months, when the plant reaches the peak of its growth and development. In the autumn and winter months, however, the succulent enters a dormant period and the fertilizer will not be absorbed.

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After all, does the bear paw succulent like the sun?

Yes, like all succulents, bear paws like the sun. However, she is not a cactus. This means that too much sun and heat can harm the plant’s development.

Because of this, the ideal is to leave the succulent bear paw receiving the mild sun in the morning or late afternoon. During the hottest hours of the day, the succulent should be protected from the sun’s rays.

How to make a bear paw succulent seedling

There are two ways to make a bear paw succulent seedling. The first one is to cut a stake from an adult and healthy plant and plant it directly in the pot or in the soil, with an adequate substrate.

Another way to make a bear paw succulent seedling is through the leaves. To do this, just cut the leaves and place them directly on the ground, without the need to bury them. Just lay them on the ground. In a short time, they will begin to take root.

However, the succulent bear’s paw takes time to grow. So, if you intend to make seedlings of the plant, be patient and wait for the natural development process of the species.

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Common pests on the succulent bear’s paw

The succulent bear paw is usually very resistant to pests and diseases, especially when it is being cared for in the right way, receiving water and light in the ideal measure.

However, some imbalances can favor the appearance of pests, especially cochineal. This little insect is the terror of any gardener.

The mealybug multiplies quickly, literally sucking the plant and its vivacity. And if left unchecked, mealybug can still spread to other plants in the house. So it is always necessary to observe the plant and make the necessary corrections at any sign of infestation.

For this, the most suitable is the use of neem oil, a natural substance that does not harm the plant but is capable of eliminating various types of pests very efficiently.

How about now check out ideas on how to use the succulent bear’s paw in decoration and landscaping? So just take a look at the images below and get inspired.