Frithia pulchra aka Fairy Elephant's Feet

Frithia pulchra is a small succulent. It belongs to the Aizoaceae family. Gardeners call it fairy elephant's feet or baby toes. It comes from South Africa, from North-West Province to Gauteng. Wild plants grow in high grassland with summer rain. Their roots grow in shallow, gritty soil among quartzite rocks. The roots also find cracks in bare rock slabs.

This plant stays green year-round and lives for many years. It forms small clumps with almost no stem. Garden plants reach about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) tall. Reported widths range from 0.33–0.67 feet (0.1–0.2 metres). The grey-green leaves stand upright and look like small clubs. Each leaf ends in a flat or rounded clear window. These windows let light reach the leaf's inner tissues. Much of the plant can sit beneath the soil. In drought, the leaves shrink and pull it deeper underground. This helps it avoid further water loss.

Single flowers look like daisies, with very short stalks or none. Their petals are magenta to carmine, with pale centres. NC State notes that some plants have white flowers. LLIFLE gives flower widths of 0.08–0.11 feet (0.025–0.035 metres). The RHS and NC State place flowering in late winter. LLIFLE lists May, so the sources differ on bloom time. The fruit forms a small, yellow to ochre capsule. These capsules are hygrochastic: they open when wet and close when dry. They release brown seeds when water opens the lid.

Grow this plant in a pot that drains well. Sources support full sun. But RHS calls for filtered light under glass. Use cactus compost or a gritty mix with some organic matter. Give moderate water during growth, then let the mix dry. Keep it dry in winter under the RHS approach. Use low-nitrogen liquid feed on growing plants every two or three weeks. Allow good airflow, as cool, wet conditions can cause rot. RHS rates it H2 and says to protect it from freezing. LLIFLE reports greater cold tolerance, down to −4°C.

Its small size suits pots and displays of houseplants. It also suits groups of plants on sheltered patios. It needs no pruning and can grow from seed. You can also divide plants to grow new ones. Mealybugs may attack, though RHS reports few disease problems. Too much water while the plant rests can cause root rot. ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. That safety listing does not establish that people can eat it.