Description
The Baby Toes plant (scientific name: Fenestraria rhopalophylla) is one of my most favorite succulents because of their ease of care! They grow happily in a sunny window and offer up gorgeous flowers when they're healthy.
How to grow baby toes
Starting baby toes from seed can be rewarding but you need a few key elements for a successful venture. First, the container should be shallow and well-draining. Make up a growing medium with equal parts coir, potting soil, sand, fine gravel and perlite. Moisten the mixture in the pot lightly and strew the seeds evenly on the surface of the soil. Sprinkle a light dusting of sand over the seeds. They will push the sand out of their way as the seedlings emerge.
Cover the pot with clear plastic and place in a low light area until germination. Mist the plants after they emerge and remove the cover for half an hour daily to prevent fungal growth.
How to care for baby toes
Light
Baby toes succulents require full sun when they are grown indoors and outdoors. Ideally, they should receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day to encourage healthy growth and prevent legginess. If you are growing baby toes succulents indoors, you might need to provide a grow light to ensure they are receiving enough light throughout the day.
Soil
These succulents are susceptible to overwatering and should be planted in a well-draining, sandy soil mixture to help control moisture around the roots. A cactus or succulent soil mix is ideal and can be found at most nurseries and garden centers. You can also make succulent soil at home by mixing one part regular potting soil, one part perlite, and one part sand.
Water
Baby toes succulents are drought-tolerant and do not require frequent watering. The soak and dry watering method is ideal. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings and then water deeply until water streams out of the drainage holes of the pot. Baby toes succulents are dormant in the summer so water them sparingly during summer to prevent root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
These desert-dwelling succulents are hardy in USDA zones 10a to 11b. They appreciate hot, dry climates and do not tolerate frost. If you are growing these succulents outdoors in a climate that experiences cold winters, it is best to grow them in containers so that they can be moved indoors for the winter.
Fertilizer
Be careful not to over-fertilize baby toes succulents because they are sensitive to fertilizer burn. These succulents can tolerate poor-quality soils and do not require regular fertilization. However, you can lightly fertilize them at the beginning of the growing season with a low-strength, balanced fertilizer to help encourage strong growth. Avoid fertilizing baby toes succulents during their dormant period.