Finger Mesemb Plant Care
Mesembryanthemum digitatum Aiton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mesembryanthemum digitatum, or finger-and-thumb plant, is a stemless plant found in South Africa with a clump of 2–4 thick, waxy leaves per shoot that emerge from the ground which resemble human-like fingers.
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Finger Mesemb?
Finger Mesemb grows best in full sun.
Where Is the Finger Mesemb Native To?
What Is the Finger Mesemb?
Finger Mesemb (Mesembryanthemum digitatum) belongs to the Aizoaceae family within the Mesembryanthemum genus. Finger Mesemb is native to South Africa with a clump of 2–4 thick, waxy leaves per shoot that emerge from the ground which resemble human-like fingers. Finger Mesemb is also known as Finger Plant.
Finger Mesemb displays a low mat-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Finger Mesemb produces colorful daisy-like flowers in various shades.
What Light Does the Finger Mesemb Need?
Finger Mesemb thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Finger Mesemb?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Finger Mesemb to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Finger Mesemb?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Finger Mesemb?
Finger Mesemb can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ice plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Finger Mesemb Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Finger Mesemb, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Finger Mesemb?
Finger Mesemb is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Finger Mesemb is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Mesembryanthemum genus — compare its care with other Mesembryanthemum species on PlantoScan.
Mesembryanthemum is part of the Aizoaceae plant family — browse all Aizoaceae genera and species.
Finger Mesemb thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mesembryanthemum digitatum Aiton, family Aizoaceae (first published in Hort. Kew. 2: 181. 1789.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Finger Mesemb, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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