Fenestraria Rhopalophylla (The Baby’s Toes Succulent)

The Baby’s Toes succulent is also called the Fenestraria Rhopalophylla plant or Window plant. The name was conceived because the succulent leaves are shaped like a toe with tiny blisters that act as windows to allow light intake.

This succulent is pretty easy to grow. It is perfect for a beginner succulent grower. This article captured everything you need to know about growing and propagating Baby’s Toes succulent.

Introduction

The Baby Toe plants originate from Namibia and South Africa and belong to the Aizoaceae family, with over 1800 species. Baby Toes have bladder-like blemishes on their leaves to help attract sunlight and promote photosynthesis, needed for their growth.

The stems of the Fenestraria Rhopalophylla plant grow underground while the leaves are visible and grow in clusters.

The tips of Baby Toes leaves do not have green pigment to conduct heat, significantly if they are grown in deserts. Coupled with the high sunlight intake, the plant can survive in the desert because of its roots and thick leaves, which help store water.

Healthy Baby’s Toes succulent will bloom in the winter and fall, producing two or more yellow flowers.

Baby’s Toes Succulent Care

For your Baby’s Toe succulents to thrive, you have to take note of the following care guidelines:

#1. Soil

The roots of Fenestraria Rhopalophylla are pretty short and very prone to rot, so you need to use succulent soil with good drainage.

A good potting mix for Baby Toes is the Black Gold Cactus Mix. It is packed with perlite, pumice, and sand, so it dries out quickly and does not need amendment.

Baby Toes do not grow well in potting mix that contains lots of peat moss, loam, and humus because they have a high water retention capacity.

#2. Water

The roots of Baby’s Toe succulents tend to rot when you overwater them. You should not water when the soil is not dry. When the plant is dormant in the summer, you can stop watering thoroughly.

The great thing about Baby Toes is that they communicate well with the growers. They will let you know when you overwater by displaying cracks on the tips of leaves. Also, the leaves will appear faded due to under-watering.

#3. Light

Baby’s Toe succulents require an ample amount of sunlight daily. If you are growing them indoors, the best place is close to a south-facing window. On the other hand, if you develop the plant outdoors, you need a warm temperature. If the temperature is too high, the plant may get sunburn. You can provide a partial shade or shade cloth for the plant to prevent sunburns.

#4. Temperature and Humidity

Fenestraria Rhopalophylla is not cold hardy. Generally, it prefers warm temperatures. It is advisable to place your plant indoors in case you live in a zone that gets colder than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for your Fenestraria Rhopalophylla is 66 degrees Fahrenheit. However, keep in mind that placing your plant in locations with low temperatures for a long time can also damage your plant.

In terms of humidity, it prefers an average level of humidity. Ensure that your Fenestraria Rhopalophylla is placed in a location with continuous air condition.

#5. Fertilizers

If you want to hasten the growth process of Baby Toes, you can fertilize them. They require a minute amount of fertilizer.

Use a fertilizer specially formulated for succulents and dilute it, or add half of the quantity recommended by the manufacturer. Applying fertilizers once a month is enough for Baby Toes in their active growing season.

It is not advisable to apply fertilizers during dormancy so that the plant does not grow out of proportion.

#6. Potting The Baby’s Toes Succulent

Plant your Baby Toes in a pot about the same size as the plants. Since Baby Toes do not grow that big, a 4-inch pot will be enough for them to breathe and grow without restraint.

To avoid overwatering and let the soil dry out quickly, use a small pot with drainage holes.

#7. Repotting

Make sure that you avoid any unnecessary repotting. It is only generally needed to repot when your plant is already bigger than its current pot. In repotting, choose a bigger pot that will fully allow your plant to grow for some time.

A crucial reminder when repotting your Fenestraria Rhopalophylla is to ensure that you avoid burying your plant’s leaves. Aside from that, handle your plant gently to avoid any damage or breaking.

It is also essential to repot when you purchase a new plant. It is to avoid bringing in any pests or diseases that might be stored in your new plant’s soil.

Repotting is also crucial to avoid water build-up due to the old stock soil.

Growth Zone

Baby Toes are not cold hardy plants, so you might need to take them indoors if you live in a region where the temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

But then, if you reside in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, you can keep your Baby Toes outside.

Whether growing this plant indoors or outdoors, please ensure it gets at least six hours of daily sunlight.

Bloom

Perhaps, one of the most exciting features of Baby Toe succulents is that they bloom and produce flowers about times a year. Your Baby Toes Succulent’s roots will be firmly established if you provide enough water and sunlight, and white flowers will spring up.

The flowers of your Baby Toes will open, close, and occasionally turn in reaction to light, which is a sight to behold.

Trim off the bottom of any dead flower stem, and the plant will produce new flowers later on.

Common Pests and Diseases

Generally, this type of plant only has a few pests and diseases. Among its common pests are mealybugs, scale, and aphids. These pests are sap-sucking, meaning it is a problem for fleshy-leaved succulents.

Also, check the root of your Fenestraria Rhopalophylla as it is sensitive. Avoid overwatering your succulents to avoid root rot. Using well-draining soil and a pot with suitable drainage holes are very important.

Propagating The Baby Toe Succulents

You can propagate the Fenestraria Rhopalophylla succulents by offsets or seeds. If you do not have the patience to wait for seeds to germinate, you should opt for the offset propagation technique. Also, propagating from seeds is not all that reliable, especially if your soil does not have the required nutrients.

But then, if you still want to try out the seed propagation method for Baby Toes, do it during the fall months. Carry out the seed propagation with the same soil type the parent plant was grown.

In addition, pour sand over the seed so nutrients do not escape the atmosphere. You should consider getting a growing lamp for the seeds if you live in a cold region.

Also, cover the pot to create warmth around the seedlings and retain moisture. The Baby Toe seeds grow best at a minimum temperature of 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

When propagating from offsets, pull out a baby plant from your mature Baby Toes. Do this gently so you do not damage the plant’s roots. Alternatively, you can use a sterilized knife to cut the offset.

Place the offset on a piece of paper and allow it to dry for a few days before placing it in a well-draining pot to grow.

Final Words

By the end of this article, we hope that you have a better understanding and appreciation for Fenestraria Rhopalophylla. It is an exciting succulent that has leaves shaped as tiny toe blisters. Aside from its unique appearance, this plant is also known as an easy-to-grow succulent, meaning it is a perfect plant baby for those who are starting their plant parenthood journey. As long as you can provide the proper pot, soil, and enough sunlight and watering, your Fenestraria Rhopalophylla will indeed thrive. Thank you for being open about the variety of succulents available for you. We hope that you may consider Fenestraria Rhopalophylla as your next plant baby.

ABOUT ME

Richard Miller

Salute everyone. It's Richard, the author of this Succulent & Xeriscaping blog. I am a traveler and a nature lover looking for a connection with the wild green. In my journey, I found a love for succulents and xeriscaping. What attracts me is the long-lasting & unique beauty of every plant I have the chance to see with my own eyes. Welcome to my little blog and let's enjoy a good time together!

Contact me: richard.succulentcity@gmail.com