How often should I water it?

Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it requires bright, direct light to maintain its compact shape.

Plant guide

Bear Paw.

Dactylopsis digitata

Pronounced mez-em-bree-AN-thee-mum di-ji-TAY-tum

Also known as Dactylopsis digitata

ice plants (genus) — Photo by leandra-k_89 (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

This charming succulent is known for its unique, finger-like leaves that resemble little paws. It is a slow growing plant that thrives in dry, sunny conditions. You will love how it adds texture to any collection.

Another photo of Bear Paw — Photo by Felix Riegel (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 10 to 15 cm
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep this plant in very bright light to prevent it from stretching out. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to avoid root rot. Watch for mushy leaves, which indicate too much moisture.

Watering: Only water when the soil is bone dry throughout the pot.
Feeding: Use a diluted succulent fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove any dead or shriveled leaves to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 7 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant stops growing during the active season.
Soil becomes compacted and drains very slowly.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion or damage to the delicate foliage.
Contact allergens: The succulent leaves may cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to surface textures.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this species.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Finger shaped succulent leaves
Soft textured leaf surface
Compact growth habit
Small white or yellow flowers

Height: 0.05 to 0.1m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.2m
Leaves: blue-green, grey-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, pale yellow, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a bright, cool, and dry location during winter. Avoid all supplemental water if the plant is dormant.
In containers: It grows beautifully in shallow pots with excellent drainage, provided the container is at least 10 cm wide.

Seed

Sow seeds on the surface of sandy, well-draining soil.
Mist lightly and cover with a clear lid to maintain humidity.
Remove lid once seedlings appear and provide bright light.

Cuttings

Take a healthy leaf or stem cutting.
Allow the cut end to callous for several days in a dry spot.
Place the calloused end into dry, gritty succulent soil.

Group this plant with other slow-growing succulents that do not require frequent watering.

Grows well with

Living Stones · They share similar requirements for light and very low water.
Tiger Jaws · This succulent provides a nice textural contrast while needing the same dry conditions.

Similar species

Ice Plant · It is a related succulent that also thrives in sunny, well-draining spots.

Science

Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Mesembryanthemum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa, specifically the Karoo region.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, though habitat loss remains a concern in its native range.

It survives in arid environments by storing water in its thick, fleshy leaves.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: rock gardens, container gardening, succulent collections

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Nutrients: 2/9
Salinity: 4/9
Moisture: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it requires bright, direct light to maintain its compact shape.

Where the name comes from

The name Mesembryanthemum comes from Greek words meaning midday and flower, referring to the blooms opening in the sun.

Good to know

It belongs to the Aizoaceae family, often called the ice plant family.
The name digitatum refers to the finger-like shape of its leaves.
It thrives in extremely poor, sandy soils where other plants struggle.
The flowers open primarily in bright sunlight.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your bear paw growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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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.