Frithia pulchra - Baby Toes

Frithia pulchra is a dwarf, perennial succulent,up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Plants comprise a cluster of succulent leaves up to 2 cm long and 4-5 mm in diameter,  windowed at the tips, with a short, thickened rootstock underground. Stems are much reduced and during periods of drought the plants shrink in size as a result of moisture loss. They sometimes even disappear below the grit under adverse conditions, making them very difficult to find. The single flowers are bright magenta with a white or light yellow centre and are 25 - 35 mm in diameter and are borne on very short stalks or are stalkless. The five sepals are unequal and closely resemble the cylindrical leaves. Petals number between 30 and 45 and usually have blunt, rounded tips.
  • Scientific Name: Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.
  • Common Names: Transvaal Fairy Elephant's Feet, Baby Toes, Window Plant, Purple Baby-toes
  • Synonyms: Mesembryanthemum pulchrum hort.
  • Family:Aizoaceae
  • Subfamily: Ruschioideae
  • Tribe: Ruschieae
  • Species: F. pulchra
  • Genus: Frithia


 Origin: 
Frithia pulchra is native to South Africa (Gauteng, North West).

 Hardiness: 
Hardiness zones - 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care 

 As with other houseplants, the best way to figure out how to care for Frithia pulchra is to have a look at how it naturally grows. This succulent is found in a very limited area in South Africa. Here, it inhabits rocky grasslands that can get rather toasty during summer and cool and dry during winter.

 To survive in this harsh climate, Frithia pulchra has evolved to be partly underground for most of the time. The translucent leaf tips are sometimes the only part sticking out. They allow light to reach deep into the sections of the leaf that don’t receive any direct sun.
Light: This succulent’s natural habitat is quite sunny. In your home, it can probably take any light you offer it. Even direct sun should be no problem, although you might have to place the plant a little deeper in the substrate to avoid it getting scorched.

 - Learn more at  HOW TO GROW AND CARE Frithia  
source pic:pinterest.com
source pic:pinterest.com
source pic:pinterest.com



Links: Back to genus Frithia
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