Frithia pulchra is native to a narrow area of Gauteng Province in South Africa, where it grows in the dry, rocky ground of summer-rainfall grasslands. The genus honors Frank Frith, a Johannesburg gardener who first brought it to the attention of botanists at Kew. In its natural habitat, the plant retreats below the soil surface during drought, protecting itself from desiccation while the translucent windows at the tips of its stubby leaves admit just enough filtered light for photosynthesis to continue underground. It is listed as vulnerable in the wild. The magenta flowers, which can also appear in white, bloom in winter and are surprisingly vivid against the stout, gray-green leaves.

In cultivation, Frithia pulchra is best grown in a pot that fits its modest proportions — roughly 3 to 4 inches tall and 7 to 8 inches wide at maturity — using a gritty, well-drained mix rich in compost. It dislikes both frost and intense heat, and some growers keep it under glass year-round for that reason. Water regularly through the growing season and feed every two to three weeks with a dilute, low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer. In winter, when the plant is dormant, water should be withheld almost entirely to prevent root rot. It is a plant that rewards close attention and controlled conditions rather than casual outdoor placement.