Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Poke your finger into the soil to check for moisture.
- Inspect the base of the stem for any signs of mushiness.
- Observe the light levels in your plant's current location.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel mushy or translucent before they fall off. The stem might also look soft or discolored.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet for more than a few days, repot the plant into fresh, dry succulent mix.
Low Light
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks stretched out and the leaves drop even though the soil is dry. New growth is pale and small.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with bright light and a few hours of direct sun each day. A south or west facing window is usually best.
Find out what's wrong with your bear's paw
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for the oldest, bottom leaves to drop occasionally as the plant grows. Worry if multiple leaves fall off at once or if the stem feels squishy.
Stopping it coming back
Stick to a strict watering schedule of every 14 to 21 days and ensure the soil is bone dry before adding more water.
Bear's Paw: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bear's paw and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I save a leaf that fell off?
- You can try to propagate it by placing the leaf on top of dry succulent soil. Keep it in bright, indirect light and wait for roots to appear.
- Should I mist the leaves?
- No, never mist your Bear's Paw. The fuzzy leaves hold onto moisture and can easily rot if they stay wet.
More problems with Bear's Paw
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.