South African Succulent 'Baby's Bum': A Cheeky Delight in the World of Plants

Growing in a valley in South Africa, "bababoutjies" (Gibbaeum heathii), also known as "Baby's bum," is a clump-forming succulent. Its location is surrounded by mountains, while its appearance and characteristics elicit humor due to its diminutive size and amusing name

It develops smooth globe-shaped leaves, with mature leaves guarding new growth and covering stems, while its flowers bloom during late winter and early spring in shades of white, pink, and yellow.

Small Succulent That Looks Like a Baby's Bum

Typically gray-green, the succulent's leaves take on a pink hue when fresh ones emerge, enhancing the resemblance to a baby's bottom. Paul Rees, nursery manager at London's Royal Botanic Gardens, explained that many succulents alter color due to stress from factors like light or water scarcity.

For instance, overexposure to light can trigger reddening to prevent sunburn, while prolonged water shortage leads to reddening as a coping mechanism for water stress, Rees told Live Science.

Native to the Klein Karoo within South Africa's Western Cape province, G. heathii thrive amidst quartzitic stones that reflect heat, generating a cooler environment. The Klein Karoo, a 217-mile-long (350 km) valley measuring 25 to 37 miles in width, is encircled by mountains and experiences limited yearly precipitation due to its topography.

The Klein Karoo, recognized by the Botanical Society of South Africa, constitutes a segment of the country's Succulent Karoo Biome, renowned as one of Earth's most abundant and diverse succulent habitats. Hosting around 3,200 plant species, including 400 exclusive to the region, it faces various perils such as illegal harvest for horticulture, excessive livestock grazing, and climate shifts.

The area is projected to confront heightened drought in the coming century, a trend that experts investigating its implications believe could impose severe outcomes on the flora within this vital biodiversity hub.

Care and Propagation of the Baby's Bum Succulent

G. heathii is a distinct variety of succulent is renowned for its springtime blossoms, showcasing delicate white to pale pink flowers when it reaches its flowering stage. When planted in an exquisite pot, it can make a charming addition to your assortment of plants.

In watering this small succulent, it is advisable not to let it sit in water just like any other succulents. The best way of watering it would be soaking the plant and drying it. Avoid overwatering to maintain its good health.

Baby's bum succulents thrive in strong light and require full to partial sun for optimal growth, making them more suitable for outdoor cultivation.

They prefer warm climates within zone 10b-11b, around +1.7°C (35°F), and if in colder regions, indoor planting is recommended. Ensuring sufficient sunlight is key for the plant's successful development, and it's advised to consider pot material selection as well.

Lastly, propagating this succulent could be done by planting through offsets or seeds. Infrequent repotting is necessary, with initial repotting upon purchase. The use of well-drained soil mixtures and further guidance can be found in resources on repotting and preparing such soil for succulent growth.