
Succulents are very unique and easy to grow plants, they are loved all across the globe. There is a cute little succulent called Bear’s paw, the scientific name of this little plant is Cotyledon Tomentosa. It is very easy to grow succulents and if you are a beginner then it is a perfect succulent to start with. Although Bear’s paw is easy to care for its propagation can be tough.
When I was a beginner I had faced problems while propagating the Bear’s paw. Then I did some research and spoke to a few expert gardeners and found the solution. In this article let’s discuss how to propagate the Bear’s paw succulents?
Bear’s paw can be propagated in three ways, one with the stem cuttings, the second way is leaf propagation, and the third way is seed propagation. The best suitable way to propagate them is by stem cuttings to get successful results.
Now that you know the ways to propagate the Bear’s paw let’s get to know the in-depth process of propagation and taking care of the plant.
Propagating Bear’s Paw with cuttings
Propagation of the Bear’s paw with cuttings is one of the best ways to get successful results. To propagate them using cuttings first you have to get clean scissors or a sharp knife so that the plant will not catch any rot.
Also, make sure that you have well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes (if planting them in a pot). Now with the help of a cutting tool (knife or scissors) cut the stem of Bear’s paw plant.
While cutting the stem, make sure that the stem has more than one leaves as that will help the plant to propagate quite easily. Once you have cut the stem let the cuttings dry for a few days before replanting them.
That duration will help the cuttings to heal from the damage and will allow them to callous. Then plant the cuttings in well-draining soil and inside a pot that has drainage holes underneath.
Propagating Bear’s Paw With Leaf
The second way to propagate the Bear paw succulents is by leaf. For this, you have to be super cautious as this process has a very low success rate. To propagate through the leaf, bend or twist the leaf of the main Bear paw plant and pluck the leaf from it.
When you remove the leaf make sure that no part of the leaf is attached to the stem, the leaf should get completely detached from the stem to get successful propagation. Then allow the leaf to callous for a day and then plant the leaf in well-draining soil.
Propagating with Seeds
Propagation from the seeds is the longest way to grow a Bear paw as that might take months to grow. While doing this make sure to sow the seeds in the well-draining soil and if you are planning to grow the plant indoors then plant them in a pot with drainage holes.
If you live in a zone above 9a then you can sow the seeds outdoors. If you live in a region where it gets cold then plant the Bear paw seeds indoors in a pot.
This succulent is not frost resistant so you should avoid planting them outdoors in a cold region. Also, sow the seeds during their growing seasons do not sow them in winters as succulents go dormant during this season.
Where to Plant Bear’s Paw?
As I have mentioned earlier in this article that this succulent can be planted indoors as well as outdoors. It depends on your preference as well as the region you live in. Bear’s Paw is a non-frost tolerant plant so if you live in zone 9a and above you can plant them outdoors.
But if it gets cold outdoors then it is good if you grow them indoors under the grow lights. Bear’s paw loves the sun and it’s their basic need to grow healthy, therefore you must keep them where they get good sun throughout the day.
How do you take care of a Bear’s Paw?

Cotyledon Tomentosa is one of the easiest plants to grow and care for. These are low-maintenance plants and they do not need much of your attention. Here are a few things to look for to keep them healthy and beautiful.
1. Water requirements
Bear paw succulents do not like to be over or under watered like any other succulents. The best way to know the water requirements for the plant is by applying the “soak and dry” method.
In this method just dip the fingertip in the soil and check if the soil is dry, if it is dry then water the pant. Do this every time before watering the plant to keep up with their water requirements.
2. Sunlight requirements
Every succulent loves to get some sunlight throughout the day. Similarly, Bear’s Paw is no exception they love the sun if they do not get enough light they may end up having unhealthy growth.
If you have Bear’s Paw planted indoors then make sure that you are giving them 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily or partial sun throughout the day. If you live in a region where sunlight is an issue then you can buy grow lights for the succulents.
It is very important to give sunlight to Bear’s Paw for their healthy growth. Do not expose them to direct sun for too long as that may end up damaging the plant.
3. Get well-draining soil
Succulents do not like to sit in water for too long that can cause root rot. Therefore, it is very essential to have good quality well-draining soil for Bear’s Paw. That will flush away all the excess water from the soil and will just hold the required amount of water for the roots.
To complement the soil it is also important to have pots that have drainage holes underneath. This kind of arrangement is perfect for growing healthy succulents.
4. Fertilization
Fertilization is important for Bear’s Paw to get all the essential nutrients that soil cannot provide to the plant. You should always consider fertilizing the plant once or twice a month. Also, make sure to fertilize the plants only in their growing seasons.
Most of the succulents go dormant during winters so it is better if you fertilize them right before the winters. That will enhance the proper growth of the Bear’s Paw.
5. Save them from pest attack
Pest attack is something that is very unpredictable, although Bear’s Paw is pretty safe from most of the pests. But mealybugs can still attack them if the nearby plant has caught mealybug infestation.
These bugs will attack the roots of the plant and can stay in the soil. To check if the plant is attacked by mealybugs look for the white spots on the roots or the leaves of the plant.
If your plant is being attacked by the mealybugs then spray the fungicides on the plant. To know more about the attack of the mealybugs visit here:
Related Article:
Is Bear’s Paw Plant Toxic In Nature?
These plants are non-toxic in nature but many reports have shown their toxicity so they are considered as mild toxic in nature. Therefore, it is better to keep away your pets from this succulent.
Final Thoughts On How To Propagate Bear’s Paw Succulents
Bear’s paw can be propagated very easily with stem cuttings. Though there are a few other ways to do it that have a very low success rate and in the case of seed propagation, it can take years to get fully grown Bear’s Paw.
These succulents grow very compact in size and are very easy to carry. They can grow up to 20 inches tall and the tips of their leaves have a reddish color. That indicates the healthy growth of a plant.
I hope you have got all the answers you were looking for, if you have any queries then make sure to leave a comment below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Planting!!
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