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by Taby
(Toronto, Canada)

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Hello! I recently bought this little cactus at Home Depot, but it didn’t come with any instructions.

I was wondering if anyone could identify it, and possibly give me some advice on how to care for it?

He seems to be happy in areas without too much sunlight, but I’m not sure.

Also, the soil he came with isnt very good, and dries out easily. Do you think I could change it, or is it fine?

Here is some more description:

  • No sharp needles, other than on the stem which are browinish reddish colour and easily touchable
  • 7 cm tall, 10 cm wide
  • no flowers
  • light green colour throughout
  • the tips of the leave things are very curvy
  • happy with not too much sunlight
  • very very tiny white hairs in the leaves themselves
  • there are currently two main stems growing from each other, or somewhere underneath the soil

Thank you!

Hi Taby, first off all, this is not a cactus; it’s a succulent. Cactus are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

This cute and lovely little plant is Adromischus cristata, or Baby Toes, which explains the way it looks like babies feet perfectly.

It also goes by the name ‘Crinkle Plant’ and ‘Pie Crust Plant’ for obvious reasons.

Someone else already asked me to identify their succulent here.

I think your conditions are probably just about exactly right; this plant needs bright light, but can withstand not being in direct sunlight.

I always recommend getting a small grow light for winter, because it might not get the day length it requires.

The requirement for light is not just the intensity, but the hours of light it gets too; this is called photoperiod, and where these plants originate, close to the tropics, the daylength is always 12 hours of light, 12 of dark. They prefer that schedule.

For the soil, no! Don’t change it!

Succulents need to be in well drained soil that dries out quickly.

They cannot live in waterlogged soil, or even in soil that stays damp. They’re not like any other house plant that you might have grown. Once the roots fill the pot, then you could repot into a larger container, using some similar type soil.

Hope that helps get your succulent obsession off to a roaring start!

Jacki

Comments for Taby’s Cactus

Oct 24, 2018

Mine is in a south facing window and after sending up very thin stem of over a foot it made very small bloom buds. Be pa\ient. The buds make teeny blooms starting from bottom up.
by: S. Spurlock

Mine has bloomed, sits in south facing window sill. Stem, very thin, over foot high,bloom buds open from bottom up over extended period of time. Kept mine in original soil & plastic pot, put pot in attractive container. Drench infrequently, plant “leaves” puff up with water. Grandchildren fascinated by plant.

Oct 28, 2017

Common names!
by: Jacki

Kris, that’s why I use botanical names, in preference to common names. In different places, a common name could refer to more than one completely different plants.

Oct 28, 2017

FYI
by: Kris

This plant is usually known as Key Lime Pie. I have never heard it referred to as Baby Toes, as there is a completely different succulent called Baby Toes.

Jul 21, 2014

You bet!
by: Jacki

Yes, these little guys flower – it’s a long stalk, and it emerges from the center of the leaves. The flowers are very small, and in a cluster of white blooms.

Jul 21, 2014

stem growth
by: Anonymous

my plant has something growing out of the center. the stem is green and has grown almost 2 inches in 2 weeks.
I am wondering do they flower at some point?
thank you

May 06, 2013

Soil…
by: Anonymous

I wouldn’t doubt that the soil she has her A. cristata in is terrible for this plant.

That being said, the reason being that all big box stores, and many other retailers, use soil that is mostly peat.

Once the soil dries, it becomes hard. It also becomes hydrophobic.

The water will not penetrate the soil without being soaked. In my honest opinion, when one brings a succulent home from Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc., they should always repot. A very porous soil is needed. Excellent drainage is needed. Pumice, gravel, turface (Floor-dri/oil-dri from Walmart or Napa Auto Parts) works GREAT to amend soils.

Good luck with your plant. Happy growing!

P.S… What is good for one grower isn’t always good for all growers, however, in my humble opinion, fast draining soil is ALWAYS best for these plants! And a peat based soil is FAR from fast draining!! =)

I couldn’t agree more – I usually recommend some kind of cactus soil, which generally has much more sandy components in it, or add pumice to whatever kind of soil you have – sometimes, you have to use whatever is available, in local stores.
Jacki

Feb 10, 2013

Thanks!
by: Taby

Thank you so much for answering me! I’m glad to know my little guy will be happy with the soil he has, and I’ll be sure to put him in a spot where there is more sunlight. Thanks again!