Purple Baby Tears Frithia pulchra

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. It is a member of the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). The genus is named for Frank Frith, a Johannesburg gardener who first brought the plant to the attention of botanists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The species epithet 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.

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.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

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