Baby Toes Succulent – Peculiar, But Amazingly Easy to Grow

What Are Baby Toes Succulents

Baby toes succulents are famous succulents that you can easily distinguish with their small sizes and clump-forming structures. Also called Fenestraria rhopalophylla, this succulent is native to Africa. Most classify this species as window-leafed succulent. The reason is that the topmost part of the leaves is transparent because of the absence of green pigment. This contributes to letting light pass through its fleshy and thick leaves.

Baby toes succulents are also made even more attractive with their delicate yellow or white flowers produced during the fall and spring. Their attractiveness makes them perfect alternatives if you have no plans of choosing pink succulents for Valentine’s day decor.

Benefits of Baby Toes Succulents

What makes baby toes succulents perfect for your home? Here are some of their benefits that make them among the premium flowering succulents sought after by many people.

Look Beautiful

With the beauty and attractiveness that the baby toes succulents possess, you do not have to invest in the world’s best artificial succulents. You can just grow real ones in the form of baby toes succulents. Aside from their great-looking leaves, they can also produce flowers that make them even more beautiful.

Grow Indoors and Outdoors

Whether you are searching for the ideal outdoor succulents to grow or just one you can care for indoors, the baby toes succulents will not disappoint. They can thrive in both conditions. Just make sure to put them in a spot that lets them receive enough sunlight.

Low-Maintenance

The only things that this succulent will probably need to grow healthily and beautifully are full sun and just a bit of water. You do not even need to water them too frequently. As a matter of fact, they are particularly low-maintenance just as long as they receive enough sunlight.

How Do Baby Toes Succulent Work

If cultivating rare succulents is what you are after, then the baby toes are among your best options. They tend to work and grow well in various environments because it is in their nature to adapt to harsh habitats. Furthermore, they can adapt well even in harsh habitats as they can grow naturally when you grow them partly underground.

The translucent tops of their small leaves are the only parts that stick out of the ground. With that, the light can easily travel or pass through the tops, allowing the plant to photosynthesize even if it is mostly covered.

Pros and Cons of Baby Toes Succulents

Pros

• Grows well whether you put it indoors and outdoors.
• Low-maintenance.
• Comes with great-looking leaves and beautiful flowers.
• Fairly fast-growing, allowing you to see its full length and bloom in no time.
• Capable of growing in any outdoor location, provided there is warm weather and the environment is suitable for growing and cultivating succulents.

Cons

• Prone to rotting if you don’t use soil with great draining capacities.

Features of Baby Toes Succulents

Here are the best and the most incredible features of the baby toes succulents. Learning about these features is a huge help in identifying the needs of the specific succulent you are planning to grow right now, specifically the baby toes.

Size and Growth

Baby toes are naturally small. Therefore, you can expect them to grow in diameter instead of height. In this case, this diameter usually goes at around three inches. As for its leaves, you will notice them growing up to 4 centimeters or 1.6 inches.

Flowers

While the sizes of the flowers of baby toes succulents differ in height, each one of them still resembles the form of daisies that have elongated and small petals. The flowers are usually yellow or white without any fragrance.

Blooming Process

In terms of the blooming process, note that it may begin during the late summer and end when the early parts of the spring season come. In this case, expect the flowers to grow in two or three bunches.

However, keep in mind that the process may also be negatively affected by the plant’s current state of health as well as its ability to access a ventilated and well-lit space. To stimulate the blooming process, getting a larger pot for your succulent to freely grow may be necessary.

Uses

With the attractive nature of baby toes succulents, you will surely be able to use them as amazing evergreen and ornamental succulents indoors. They make great decorative indoor house plants. You can also plant them outdoors and make them a part of your amazing succulent collection. Moreover, you can add them to your container’s succulent landscape or garden.

Baby Toes Succulent Requirements

What does the baby toes succulent need to survive and grow healthily? Here are just a few areas of caring for this supplement that you should focus on:

Light Requirements

To prevent discolored patches on succulents’ leaves, you need to give your baby toes succulents a sufficient amount of sunlight daily. If it is indoors, then make sure to put it close to a window facing the south so it can receive sun for several hours every day.

Meanwhile, if it is outdoors, then a warm temperature would be more than ideal. Avoid exposing the succulents to an extremely high temperature outdoors as it may only cause them to get sunburned. You can also prevent sunburns from happening by providing the plant with shade cloth or partial shade.

Location Requirements

One thing to note about baby toes succulents is that they are not used to getting plenty of water or growing in soil with a lot of moisture. With that in mind, the succulents should be in a relatively dry environment. The best location for the succulent is also that with proper ventilation. It should not also be too humid. Furthermore, ensure that sufficient light comes through.

Ideal Temperature

Baby toes succulents are so versatile that they are capable of growing in various temperatures. It does not have any problem growing during the summer. It can also tolerate light frost. One vital reminder, though, is you have to retain the dryness of the succulent during shallow temperatures – that is, to help prevent frost damage.

Watering Needs

Provide the baby toes with just a bit of water as they will naturally grow even without watering them too much and too frequently. You should avoid providing the plants with too much water. You even need to give the soil sufficient time for it to dry completely after each watering.

During the summer, you should stop watering the plant completely as it is also the time when it is dormant. You may also want to watch out for signs that the plant’s soil is already too dry, requiring watering. One sign would be cracks displayed on the leaves. The leaves may also look shriveled, indicating that they are under-watered.

Fertilizing Needs

One important fact about baby toes succulents is that they do not need regular fertilization. The reason is that they are also capable of tolerating soils of poor quality. There is even a risk of overfertilizing this succulent, which is not that good as it is sensitive to fertilizer burns.

If you still want to use fertilizer, then do so during the start of the growing season. Use a balanced and low-strength fertilizer to stimulate their strong and healthy growth.

Soil Requirements

It is crucial for you to plant the baby toes succulents in a sandy soil mixture with proper drainage. It should be well-draining to prevent overwatering the plants. In addition, it can help in controlling the moisture surrounding the plant’s roots.

A great choice would be the succulent or cactus succulent soil you can often find in garden centers and nurseries. It is also possible to create the soil for your succulent in your home. Just mix one part of a typical potting soil as well as one part each of sand and perlite.

Pot Requirements

As mentioned earlier, the baby toes succulents are vulnerable to rotting if you overwater them. It may cause the plant to die if you allow too much water to sit at the bottom of its container or pot. To avoid that, you need to use a pot, which guarantees proper drainage. It should drain well so that the water can run smoothly through the soil, then the roots and the bottom. Go for a pot with a minimum of one drainage hole.

Pests and Diseases Control

One great thing about the baby toes is that they are almost entirely free of diseases and pets. It is one reason why many people prefer managing this succulent. Just remember that its root has a high risk of rotting in case you overwater it. Lessen the frequency through which you water the plant, especially if its leaves start showing a yellow shade.

How to Grow Baby Toes Succulents

Step 1 – Start growing the plant from seed

It can turn into a rewarding experience, though there are also primary elements you have to consider. One thing to do in this step is to look for a well-draining and shallow container. Then, use it to house your succulent.

Step 2 – Prepare a growing medium

You can do that by putting equal parts of potting soil, coir, perlite, fine gravel, and sand. Then, add light moisture to the mixture in the pot. Once moistened enough, you can evenly strew the seeds on the soil’s surface.

Step 3 – Sprinkle some dust of sand over the strewn leaves

Doing this helps push out the sand, making it possible for the seedlings to come out or emerge.

Step 4 – Use clear plastic to cover the pot

You should then put the pot in the proper area until it germinates.

Step 5 – Mist the succulents once they emerge

Take out the cover for thirty minutes every day, which can help in preventing fungal growth.

 

How to Care for Baby Toes Succulents

Step 1 – Move the pot to an area with full sun

The temperature in the area should be at least 19 degrees Celsius.

Step 2 – Provide it with just the right amount of water

Remember that a common problem in growing this succulent is under or overwatering, so be extra careful. While they can tolerate drought, they still require sufficient moisture so they can store it in their leaves, thereby sustaining them during the period of growth. Observe for rots that signify overwatering or the poor draining system of the pots.

Step 3 – Fertilize less frequently

Fertilize it during the early spring only. In that case, you may want to do a half dilution of succulent food and cactus. Stop watering during its dormant seasons that often happen from November to February.

 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

Just like other succulents and plants, it would be unnecessary for you to spend a lot when planning to grow baby toes succulents. The fact that they are easy to care for and grow makes them high-quality enough without requiring you to spend a huge amount. This means that you can still grow and cultivate quality baby toes succulents even with a limited budget.

Do’s and Don’ts With Baby Toes Succulents

• Observe the leaves and find out if they are becoming yellowish. The reason is that this color indicates that the plant is overwatered. In that case, you need to let it dry completely.
• Leave the baby toes on their own without water during summer. Note that this succulent is a subtropical species, allowing it to survive even the harshest weather. It can even do great even if it is too hot.
• Transfer it to a windowsill with plenty of bright light. Do this every time the temperature goes down excessively. By putting it on that windowsill, you retain its warmth and put it away from the harsh conditions outdoors.
• Do not let small children and pets come near this succulent. It is because baby toes are toxic to them when ingested.
• Do not use pest control products. This means you no longer need to use products to keep pests away from the plant as they are unlikely to bug baby toes.

FAQ About Baby Toes Succulents

Where can I buy baby toes succulents?

Baby toes are among the rarest succulents out there, but it does not necessarily mean you will have a hard time finding them. As a matter of fact, you can find these succulents in local succulent nurseries close to you. You can also get it from your favorite plant store. Moreover, you can order these succulents from reliable succulent sellers online.

Are baby toes succulents toxic?

Yes, they are. It is the reason why it is highly recommended not to let kids and pets come close to them. They are kind of toxic when ingested, so be extra careful.

How often should I water baby toes succulents?

Baby toes succulent does not require too frequent watering. You can only water it when the soil is already fully dry. You do not even need to water it during the summer since it is one of its most dormant phases.

How to transplant a baby toe succulent?

You do not need to repot or transplant the baby toes regularly. However, it would be ideal for repotting or transplanting it once it outgrows the past potting container. During the time when you are still picking the perfect potting container for the transplant process, remember to go for one with sufficient drainage. This is helpful in preventing root rot.

Keep in mind that this succulent features a shallow root system, which means that it does not need deep pots or potting dishes. Also, exercise care and caution to avoid breaking the succulent roots during the repotting or transplanting session. Ensure that the succulents do not accidentally separate from each other, too.

Loosen all compacted soil surrounding the roots gently, then provide fresh potting soil to the succulent. After that, you can water the newly and freshly transplanted baby toes.

Why is my baby toes succulent splitting?

Baby toes succulents are prone to splitting or cracking. One reason behind it is overwatering. This means that the plant receives excessive amounts of water, causing its leaves to crack or split. You can mitigate this problem by placing the succulents in a dry and bright place. It should be a spot where it is possible to control water intake.

How big do baby toes succulent get?

Baby toes are among those small-sized succulents. They can grow up to around three inches in diameter. The leaves of this succulent can reach 4 centimeters or 1.6 inches, too.

How long does it take for baby succulents to grow?

In most cases, you can expect the roots of the baby succulents to form at around four weeks. There are times when it takes longer. If you propagate through offsets, then you may have to wait around four to ten weeks to see the roots grow. If you propagate using the seeds, then it may take longer. Germination alone may take at least three weeks.

Why is my baby toes succulent dying?

Your baby toes succulent may be dying because of either excessive moisture or lack of moisture. The succulents may die if you expose them to too much water and moisture, as it may lead to their roots rotting. However, it may also die if you don’t give them enough water. As a rule of thumb, water the succulents once you are one hundred percent sure that the soil is completely dry. Also, ensure that there is proper drainage to prevent moisture from excessively building up.

Conclusion

Baby toes succulents are among the most interesting plants to care for. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to cultivate and manage them. The fact that baby toes succulents grow beautifully and even bloom flowers makes them even wonderful additions to your indoor or outdoor space.