Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is damp.
- Check the base of the stem for mushiness.
- Observe the light levels in your plant's current spot.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel mushy or translucent before they fall off.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil stays damp for more than a few days, repot the plant into fresh, dry cactus mix.
Low Light
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks stretched out and the leaves fall off with very little touch.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot that gets direct sun for at least 6 hours a day. Gradually introduce it to more light over a week to prevent sunburn.
Find out what's wrong with your bear 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
It is normal for the very bottom leaves to shrivel and drop as the plant grows. You should worry if healthy, plump leaves are falling off in large numbers.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the soil is bone dry throughout the entire pot, which usually takes 14 to 30 days.
Bear Paw: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bear 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 it on top of dry, well draining soil. Keep it in bright, indirect light and wait for roots to form.
- Does leaf drop mean my plant is dying?
- Not necessarily, but it is a warning sign. If you fix the watering or light issue, the plant will usually stop dropping leaves.
More problems with Bear 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.