Bear paw

Bear paw Care

Cotyledon tomentosa

What is the plant

Cotyledon tomentosa is a fluffy succulent from the Crassulaceae family. For the peculiarities of its appearance, gardeners often call it Bear paw. An easy-to-care indoor plant will serve as an original decoration of living space.

This plant, native to South Africa, is a small shrub with branched stems and puffy, downy leaves. Each leaf has three to ten pointed teeth, which makes it look like a bear's paw. Under natural conditions, it can reach up to 20 inches (50 cm) in height, and at home, the size of the plant will be smaller.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

14°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Frequent droughts are normal for Cotyledon tomentosa, so you should water the plant sparingly. It is necessary to give the roots not only to get wet but also to dry. It means that you should let the soil dry out between waterings.
Pruning
The plant does not need pruning; the only thing that may be required is the systematic removal of sprigs and leaves.
Fertilizer
The growth period of the plant falls in spring and autumn. Bear paw hardly grows in winter, and it goes dormant in summer. Therefore, you do not need to feed the plant in winter and summer. In the demi-season, use universal fertilizer for cacti, diluted twice.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Succulents should receive an average of 6 hours of sunlight per day. The plant grows well in partial shade, and growers recommend placing Cotyledon tomentosa on a south-facing window if possible. If the leaves become smaller and lose their brightness, it is necessary to add sunlight or additional illumination.
Soil
You can use a ready-made succulent mix or create it yourself. To do this, you need to mix clay soil, sand, gravel, turf, leafy soil, and peat. Do not forget the drainage layer
Propagation
Growers can propagate Cotyledon tomentosa in many different ways. You can germinate a plant from seed; to do this, you must plant it out in well-drained soil, which is better to do in the fall. You can also propagate Bear paw using cut leaves or stems.

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Temperature
The temperature range comfortable for Cotyledon tomentosa is 68-82 degrees Fahrenheit (20-28 Celsius). You need to ensure the temperature in the room with the plant does not fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 Celsius).
Container
The plant will thrive in a pot just one size larger than its root system. The container must have at least one hole to drain excess water and a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot.
Fun fact
Cotyledon tomentosa is one of the shortest members of its species.

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Additional
The plants are highly poisonous to humans and domestic animals, especially sheep and goats, and the meat of animals killed by cotyledonosis remains toxic even after cooking. Poisoning may be acute or chronic, the latter due to the cumulative effect of the toxin.
Popularity
5,106 people already have this plant 1,359 people have added this plant to their wishlists