Baby’s Toes Succulent
Fenestraria Baby’s Toes is a dwarf succulent from Southern Africa, the botanical name is Fenestraria rhopalophylla subs. aurantiaca (Fenestraria aurantiaca) and it commonly called the Baby’s Toes succulent.
This is a very attractive little plant, good foliage year round as well as attractive daisy like flowers which are large and a brilliant yellow. It is a favourite plant with many indoor plant lovers as it is attractive and easy to grow.
With an unusual growth habit, the individual leaves have a rounded stem and a flattened top. These leaves appear as small clumps and are attached to a fleshy root structure.
The mass of flattened green tops is attractive and the yellow daisy like flowers are large for the size of the plant itself. A white flowering form is also available.
Most of the leves actually hide below soil level, only the tips are above the surface, so you do need to use a deep pot for this one.
How To the Grow Fenestraria Baby’s Toes Succulent
This is a succulent that requires a dry summer and a wet winter, good drainage year round is essential. Mostly grown in containers this is an excellent little succulent to grow indoors on a windowsill.
- Watering
A wet/dry watering cycle is best. Water the plant well and then let the soil dry before watering again. - Sun/Light
At least 6 – 8 hours of bright light a day. Indirect light is OK, hot direct afternoon sun should be avoided.
If you notice the foliage beginning to stretch for the light, give it more light. Indoors rotate the plant 45 degrees every 3 – 4 days. - Soil/Potting Mix
A specialist cactus and succulent potting mix works well, free draining is essential. - Pots and Containers
Ensure that the pot you choose has good drainage holes and tryb to have a pot that is the right size for the plant, so do not overpot .
In its natural habitat it grows in part shade and this needs to be replicated in cultivation. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, but bright light. If grown indoors, then good filtered light is best.
Propagation Methods for Fenestraria Baby’s Toes
Propagation is easy by division of established clumps, this is best carried out in late winter to spring.
Use a sharp knife to divive the clump and replant immediatly.
It is also possible to propagate the Baby’s Toes succulent from seed although germination is slow.
Problems and Pests
Overwatering is the major problem, make sure you use a free draining potting mix and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Watering immediately after repotting or dividing should be avoided. Wait 7 days before watering.
Stretched or etiolated leaves are cuased by a lack of light. In sever cases this can cause the leaves to split.
Overwatering can also cause leaf splitting. Too much hot direct sun can cause the leaves to burn.
Mealybugs, aphids and similar can be a problem and are treated in the usual ways.
Whats in a name?
Fenestraria comes from the latin Fenestra which means window, each stem has a transparent window on the top.
Fenestraria is a genus with only one species which in turn has one sub species. A cultivar Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca cv. ‘Fireworth’ has flowers that are more of an orange color.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca
- Common Name – Fenestraria Baby’s Toes or Fenestraria aurantiaca
- Origins – Namibia
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Soil – Say and well drained.
- Height – To around 12 cm plus
- Spread – To around 12 cm plus.
- Evergreen – Yes
- Frost tolerant – Light frosts only, splitting can occur in frosts.