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Bear's Paw · Cotyledon tomentosa

What are these white spots on my Bear's Paw?

Those fuzzy white spots are likely mealybugs hiding in the crevices of your plant. They love to tuck themselves into the nooks where leaves meet the stem. Check the plant closely with a flashlight to confirm.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the base of the leaves with a magnifying glass.
  2. Check for sticky residue on the leaves or the surface below the plant.
  3. Isolate the plant from your other succulents to prevent spreading.

Likely causes

  1. Mealybugs

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, white, cottony masses in the leaf joints. The plant may look stunted or lose leaves.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and touch it directly to each bug to kill them. Repeat this every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.

  2. New Plant Infestation

    Possible

    How to tell: Pests appear shortly after bringing a new plant home. They often hide on the undersides of leaves.

    What to do: Always quarantine new plants for 2 weeks before placing them near your other succulents. If you find bugs, treat them immediately with alcohol.

Pests on other plants

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.

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When to worry

Small infestations are easy to manage, but a full colony can weaken the plant significantly. Act as soon as you see the first white spot.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with proper light and airflow, and inspect it every time you water.

Bear's Paw: pests? 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.

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Questions people ask

Will neem oil hurt the fuzzy leaves?
It is safer to use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Neem oil can sometimes leave residue or damage the delicate fuzz on the leaves.
Do I need to repot the plant?
Only if the infestation is severe or if you suspect the bugs have moved into the soil. Otherwise, spot treatment is usually enough.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Bear's Paw

Back to the Bear's Paw guide

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.