Plant DetailShow Menu

Fairy Elephant's Feet Frithia pulchra

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
FRITH-ee-uh PUL-kruh
Description

Fairy Elephant's Feet is a small, succulent, flowering subshrub that is native to the desert or dry areas of Gauteng Province in South Africa. The plant matures to about 3 or 4 inches high and 7 to 8 inches wide. It is stemless with thick leaves that have flat, translucent "windows" at the tips and magenta or white flowers that bloom in winter. It is listed as vulnerable in its native habitat and is often difficult to find because of its ability to shrink below the surface of the ground when threatened with drying up. The genus is named for Frank Frith, a Johannesburg gardener who first brought the plant to the attention of botanists at Kew Garden. The species name is Latin for beautiful.

The plant will not survive a frost and is so sensitive to extremes of heat or cold that some growers keep the plant under glass. The plant is typically grown in pots with good drainage and rich, composted, soil. Avoid growing in large pots and place in pots that reflect the dimensions of the plant. Feed every 2 to 3 weeks with a liquid low-nitrogen fertilizer. Water regularly, except for winter, when the plant should be kept dry.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Excessive watering when the plant is dormant can lead to root rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#succulent#subshrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#flowering
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#succulent#subshrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#flowering
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Frithia
    Species:
    pulchra
    Family:
    Aizoaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Solitary, daisy-like flowers that bloom in late winter.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Thick, club-shaped leaves, erect, with a "window" at the apex.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen