Repotting guide

When & how to repot Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' (Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithensis 'Bear Paw')

Also called bear paw cotyledon, fuzzy bear paw.

More about cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'

About Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw'

Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithensis 'Bear Paw' · also called bear paw cotyledon, fuzzy bear paw · houseplant

Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear Paw' is a charming South African succulent named for its plump, fuzzy green leaves tipped with reddish 'claws' resembling a bear's paw. It forms a small branching shrub and produces orange bell flowers. It needs bright light and very sharp drainage. Important: like all Cotyledon, it is toxic to pets, containing cardiac glycosides.

Mature size: Around 30 cm (12 in) tall and wide as a houseplant, occasionally to 50 cm (20 in) over time; leaves 3-5 cm (1-2 in) long.

Watch for — Etiolation (legginess): Too little light stretches the stems, widens leaf spacing and makes the plant flop. Move it to a brighter spot and prune leggy stems; root the cuttings to remake a compact plant.

How to tell cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw''s growth habit — small, upright branching shrub of chunky, fuzzy paw-shaped leaves. stems become woody with age and the plant can flop or sprawl if not given enough light. produces nodding orange bell-shaped flowers on tall stalks. — sets the pace. Cotyledon tomentosa 'Bear Paw' is a charming South African succulent named for its plump, fuzzy green leaves tipped with reddish 'claws' resembling a bear's paw. It forms a small branching shrub and produces orange bell flowers. It needs bright light and very sharp drainage. Important: like all Cotyledon, it is toxic to pets, containing cardiac glycosides.

What size pot to step cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'

Spring or summer, while cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'

Repot dry. Do not water cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, fast-draining cactus and succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'

Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' wants gritty, fast-draining cactus and succulent mix. Use cactus mix amended with 30-50% pumice, perlite or coarse sand. Excellent drainage is essential, as this species rots readily in moisture-retentive soil. A terracotta pot helps wick away excess water. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'. Repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, fast-draining cactus and succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' need?

When is the best time of year to repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'?

Should you water cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.