The Fenestraria Rhophalophylla, also known as Baby toes succulent and is now the only species left in the genus Fenestraria. This succulent is native to Namibia and is available everywhere due to its popularity among succulent enthusiasts.
They are preferably kept on window panes and grows tubes rather than rosettes. Only the tip of these succulents grows above the soil in your container. The plant produces white and yellow flowers that blossom in the Spring or Fall season.
Baby toes succulent is a famous houseplant or indoor succulent. These plants are easy to raise and necessitate very minute care to make them thrive. Their natural habitat is thirsty and sandy, with less rainfall.
You can plant Fenestraria either inside or outside for beautification. Or you can use them in redesigning projects. Kudos to their fascinating shape and tiny size, Fenestraria Baby Toes succulents can effortlessly become the highlighting interest in your garden or home. The Fenestraria Rhophalophylla is a fashionable and pretty-looking succulent that will always look the most attractive in your garden. However, several people appear to be having problems with the beautiful little plant.
Baby toes succulent are a fascinating plant, and it mostly lives below the surface with just the tops of the leaves above the soil. The top of its leaves is translucent and permit light to go to the rest of the parts so that photosynthesis can happen. Distinct from many other succulents, photosynthesis in Fenestraria takes place underground.
The underground growth protects the succulent from severe conditions and intense sun. This plant buds into large clumps that have a spread of about 20cms and more in favorable conditions. The height of its leaves is approximately 5cms tall.
The most common baby toes succulent problems are:
Root rot- A common type of baby toes succulent problems
They have shallow roots and are highly prone to root rot, so it is essential to use a soil that does not hold moisture for long. You can use cactus soil for the best results. There can be plenty of reasons for root rot. It can either be your plant is not draining well. Or you are using the wrong soil mix. So, ensure you study and plant them accordingly.
Make sure to prevent using any potting soil or any mix with a lot of loam, humus, or peat moss as they hold in water or you may witness a baby toes succulent dying in your garden.
Remedy – Two ways can help you cure root rot. First of all, notice root rot check for black spots on your roots. If there is root rot, change your soil mix or stop watering your plant so that it dries. Not changing the soil for years can also cause root rot so, ensure while changing the topsoil, you let the roots dry out entirely before planting them again. It will help prevent these usual baby toes succulent problems.
Dropped leaves of baby toes succulent
As succulent owners, we often make mistakes by showering extra care and love. The primary cause of the falling of leaves is overwatering. If there is water in the soil, the leaves start swelling, get soggy, and fall off even on touching slightly.
The other reason could be extreme warmth, to preserve energy and the moisture level; they drop their leaves when it starts getting extremely warm. It is a sign of under-watering. So, if your plant is not getting sufficient water, it drops leaves to survive in hot temperatures.
Everybody wants their succulents to be healthy and green, so when the leaves start turning yellow, get ready to show some care. The possible reason for yellow leaves is overwatering, and it turns the leaves to turn yellowish and translucent.
Remedy – Adjust the watering of baby toes succulent according to the signs it is showing. If there are symptoms of overwatering, then let the soil dry out completely before watering it again. And if it is underwatering, moisten the topsoil a little more regularly till it heals.
Baby toes succulent cracking
Fenestraria Rhophalophylla is very susceptible to cracking or breaking its leaves if the succulent receives too much water. Gardeners often make the mistake of providing this tiny plant with additional water causing your baby toes succulent problems.
Remedy- This issue is curable by placing them in dry and well-lit areas where the water intake is controllable.
Dry and crispy leaves of baby toes succulent
Withering, lifeless, and dry leaves are not indications of happy succulents. You possibly have not given it sufficient love. Yes, succulents can survive for long without water, but this does not mean they do not need it at all. If the tips of your baby toes are dry and dull, you have to change your watering style.
Toxicity of Baby toes succulent
There is slight controversy when it comes to toxicity in Baby Toes. Some individuals claim it to be highly toxic, and some consider it mildly toxic. However, there is no scientific proof to support any of the claims made on Baby toe succulent’s toxicity. Yet, we advise you to take precautionary measures if you have pets or children.
The plant must be away from their reach to avoid causing any harm. However, this is not one of the baby toes succulent problems but can cause damage to others.
Guide to take care of your baby toes succulent:
Light
As we know that, the succulent Fenestraria thrives the most when it gets a sufficient amount of sunlight. The plant loves sunlight and can do pretty well on exposure to heat.
They can also take a little direct sunlight. Ensure that it does not get burnt by exposure to sunny outdoors, but keep the intensity and intake of light balanced. Placing your succulent near a bright and well-lit window will promote healthy growth and will help baby toes succulent bloom.
Area
As your Fenestraria isn’t good at getting a lot of water and is not suitable to grow in moist soil, a dry surrounding is probably preferable for this succulent.Try looking for a spot in your home that has adequate ventilation and is not humid.
Temperature
It is a highly versatile plant, and so it can grow in a different range of temperatures. It will entirely be good with summer heat but may have adverse effects with light frost. So, ensure that you are giving your plant sufficient sunshine to avoid baby toes succulent problems.
Ensure that your succulent is dry and warm when the temperature in your area is freezing and cold.
Planting
As we all know about the other succulents, moist soil does not work well with baby toes succulent for a long time either. And it is sensitive to root rot, and frost can also cause some severe damage to this plant.
To avoid root rot, plant them in a well-drained coarse soil. Also, ensure you use the correct soil mix so that its roots are adequately dry and do not hold onto a lot of moisture.
Similar to other plants that love dry areas, ensure that the container of your baby toes succulent must-have drainage holes at the bottom.
It prevents water clogging and removes excess moisture from the soil. The Terracotta containers permit moisture to drain out effortlessly and thus are the best choice for succulents like these.
Watering your baby toes succulent
The primary reason for deaths in succulents is inadequate watering. Several plants suffer from excessive or too little watering and thus die. It can get tricky to know when your baby toes succulent want water.
And is pretty confusing, but you can note that this plant is not a summer grower. Distinct from other succulents, the baby toes spend their summers in dormancy because high heat and dryness prevent them from growing during this season.
After the spring, the warmth pushes the baby toes succulent into inactivity, so you must stop watering. You can sprinkle some water to moisten it during this season, but ensure not to do it a lot or else rotting will occur. In the autumn season, spring, and specifically winters, your Fenestraria is highly active and loves water. So, the water you plant at this time and wait for the soil to be dry before you water it again in this season.
To know all about your baby toes succulent take a look at this video at
It will give you a broader perspective and understanding of your plant and how to take care of it. The video is a complete guide about this succulent and has a gist about baby toes plant problems.
Now that you have a better understanding of your baby toe succulent. You can go ahead and help them thrive and flourish as before. You will now be able to read your baby toes succulent problems better and solve them quickly. Also, you can plant these beauties with confidence and assurance. For additional information about baby toes succulent, you can take a look at the other blogs. It will help in giving you insights into your garden and secrets to its healthy life.