Why are my leaves falling off?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sun?

It does best in full sun or very bright light, though in hot climates it appreciates some afternoon shade.

Plant guide

Bear's Paw.

Cotyledon tomentosa

Pronounced ko-ti-LEE-don to-men-TOE-sa

Also known as Bear-paws, Fuzzy Pigsears

This charming succulent is famous for its fuzzy, paw shaped leaves that feature tiny red teeth at the tips. It thrives in sunny spots and adds a playful touch to any collection. You will love how easy it is to keep happy with just a little bit of attention.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 30 to 50 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Provide plenty of bright light to keep the stems from stretching out. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for mushy leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out entirely before you water again.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in early spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has outgrown its current container.
Soil: Well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage hole.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant has stopped growing during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains bufadienolides which are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves are tempting to touch and potentially toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: The fine hairs on the leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

Fuzzy, thick, green leaves
Leaf tips have red teeth
Succulent, branching stems
Soft, velvet like texture

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: light green, evergreen
Flowers: orange, red, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
EdemaUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your bear's paw from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months to allow the plant to enter a dormant phase.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is not significantly larger than the root ball.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem segment during the growing season.
2. Allow the cut end to callous over for two to three days.
3. Place the cutting into a pot with well draining succulent soil.
4. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots develop.

Group succulents with similar water needs together to prevent accidental overwatering of the more drought tolerant species.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar water and light requirements for a cohesive succulent display.
Jade Plant · Both plants thrive in the same well draining soil conditions.

Similar species

Kalanchoe tomentosa · It also features fuzzy, succulent leaves but has a different growth habit.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Cotyledon
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native habitat.

It grows in rocky, arid environments where it relies on its succulent leaves to store water during long dry spells.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental houseplant, rock garden specimen, succulent collection

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 7/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves falling off?: This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sun?: It does best in full sun or very bright light, though in hot climates it appreciates some afternoon shade.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cotyledon comes from the Greek word for cup, referring to the leaf shape, while tomentosa refers to the hairy, woolly texture of the leaves.

Good to know

The leaves are covered in tiny white hairs that help reduce water loss.
It is a slow growing succulent that prefers bright light to maintain its compact shape.
The 'toes' at the end of the leaves often turn a reddish color when exposed to intense sunlight.
It belongs to the Crassulaceae family, which includes many other popular succulents.

Also in

Keep your bear's paw growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.