Cream-painted paws
Every leaf carries a different balance of green and pale tissue, so no tip looks exactly alike.
2
Cotyledon 'variegata' 5.5cm
Normal price
€3,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Cotyledon 'variegata'
Half cream, half green, one hundred per cent charm 🍦
- Crassulaceae
- Velvety hairy leaves
- Cream and green variegation
- Paw-like toothed tips
- Uncommon collector selection
Cotyledon 'variegata' takes the familiar bear-paw leaf and dresses it in cream, buttery white and green bands that never repeat in quite the same way. Every short fleshy leaf is coated in fine velvet and ends in tiny toothed tips, creating a form that feels playful and remarkably intricate at once.
Variegation makes this version far less common and more collectible than the standard green plant, while its small scale concentrates every detail into a charming botanical jewel. It is an instantly appealing shelf choice, with tactile texture, sculpted tips and a premium palette that also makes a distinctive gift.
What makes it stand out
Three defining details that turn its botanical identity into real presence for a collection and interior.
Velvety surface
Dense hairs soften the outline and give the variegation an almost textile finish.
A small collector rarity
The stable variegated form appears far less often than standard green C. tomentosa.
Why you’ll love it: it brings uncommon variegation, an unmistakable paw shape and a surface that looks as soft as it is detailed.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Display it alone in small terracotta or a matt green pot on pale wood or a dark shelf. A close position reveals the fine hairs and individual cream bands without allowing it to disappear among larger plants.
Plants that complement it
Pair it with plants that genuinely share its light, substrate and seasonal rhythm. Separate pots keep care precise for each one.
- Crassula mesembryanthoides ‘Tenelli’ — a second velvet texture in a narrower form.
- Echeveria elegans — a smooth glaucous rosette against the furry paws.
- Haworthiopsis attenuata ‘Alba’ — white lines echoing the cream sections.
Care at a glance
Light
A very bright position and gentle sun after acclimation, protected from harsh midday heat.
Watering
Water after the mix has dried well and the pot feels lighter.
Variegated form
Dry air, good ventilation and protection from frost or prolonged cold dampness.
Pets & children
Cotyledon may be harmful if eaten; keep it away from children and animals.
For this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, climate, substrate and feeding in detail
Light and position
Provide a very bright position with gentle morning or afternoon sun. Adequate intensity keeps internodes short, thickens the stems and strengthens natural colouring.
Correct watering
Water only after the mix has dried well and the pot feels lighter, before the leaves lose substantial firmness. Let excess drain completely.
Airflow and humidity
It needs steady airflow around the low stems. Avoid misting and clear dry leaves from the base so they do not hold dampness.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
Its rhythm may shift towards milder seasons and slow during heatwaves or strong coolness. Watch new growth and adjust moisture accordingly.
Substrate
Use a light, rapidly draining succulent mix with plenty of mineral material. Keep the surface clear and do not bury low stems.
Feeding, repotting and handling
During active growth a gentle dose of Cactus & Succulent Focus, used as directed, is enough. If shaping is needed, use a clean tool and let cuts dry.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, taxonomic history and natural or cultivated provenance
A selection without a documented originator
‘Variegata’ is a horticultural selection of Cotyledon tomentosa. No reliable published record identifies a specific originator, year or single founding clone.
Its subspecies cannot be assumed
Kew recognises two subspecies of C. tomentosa. Without provenance for the trade clone, assigning it to either one would not be scientifically defensible.
A South African wild species
Cotyledon tomentosa was published in 1862 and is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it grows as a succulent subshrub.
From natural habitat to care: Furry succulent leaves on its South African species base reduce moisture loss and protect the surface, while variegation limits the green photosynthetic area. In a pot it needs high brightness, airflow and clear drying without sudden scorching.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific facts nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
The velvet is an indumentum
Numerous fine hairs form a protective covering that diffuses radiation and traps a still layer of air.
The “toes” are teeth
The characteristic tips are not separate organs; they are deep teeth at the end of one leaf.
Variegation carries less chlorophyll
Cream tissue photosynthesises less, so fully pale shoots are weaker than balanced green-and-cream growth.
It belongs to Crassulaceae
The family gave its name to CAM metabolism, a pathway that limits moisture loss under dry conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about light, watering, seasonal rhythm and the plant’s correct identity.
01Is it a separate species?
No. It is a variegated horticultural selection of the wild species Cotyledon tomentosa.
02Why are some leaves creamier?
The balance of green and pale tissue changes from leaf to leaf. Completely pale shoots are usually weaker.
03When does it need watering?
Water after the mix has dried well and the pot feels lighter, before the leaves become deeply wrinkled.
04What light does it need?
A very bright position with gentle sun keeps stems dense and colours clear.
05What changes with the seasons?
Watch the new growth: the rhythm slows in heat or cool weather, and moisture should be reduced accordingly.
06Is it safe to chew?
No. Cotyledon species are associated with toxicity when eaten. Keep it out of reach and seek veterinary or medical advice if ingestion occurs.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.