Living stones must be hydrated according to a seasonal cycle that simulates the amount of rainfall they would experience in their natural environment. When the plant is dormant in the winter, avoid watering it. When the soil dries out just enough to make it somewhat damp, water the plant once the new leaves start to emerge in the spring.
How do living stones germinate?
A south- or east-facing windowsill is the best location for lithops, as they require a sunny place with at least five hours of direct sunlight each day. Keep in mind that if winter temperatures drop drastically, you might need to remove your lithops from your windowsill.
How to plant lithops
Online purchases of lithops could arrive bare-root, requiring you to plant them yourself. Lithops require a compost that is extremely free-draining, like a cactus compost. To ensure that the compost dries out fast, choose a terracotta container because it is more porous than a plastic or glazed one. You can plant them alone or in groupings.
Propagating lithops
Lithops can be multiplied by seed or division, albeit both methods need a lot of work. Lithops must mature into a cluster over a number of years before being divided. Make sure each component of the plant still has a functional taproot before carefully removing it from the pot and cutting through the roots. Each division should be repotted into a pot that is deep enough to allow the taproot to expand without being compressed.
Prepare a pot with free-draining cactus compost and extra grit to grow lithops from seed. Give the compost some water and let it drain. Cover the area with a thin layer of sand or vermiculite after scattering lithops seeds over it. Until germination takes place, keep somewhat wet; after that, gradually cut down on watering.
How to water lithops
Lithops have a very specific growth cycle, hence they require extremely specific watering. At first, this might appear difficult, but once you get the feel of it, it’s simple.
The development of the new leaves should be taken into account when watering lithops. Each year, Lithops produce new leaves that appear between the two elder leaves before progressively shriveling up (pictured). The watering schedule is determined by the development of these new leaves. The old leaves may not shrivel up properly if you water too soon after the new ones have appeared.
In contrast to most succulents, lithops begin to grow in the fall. Give your lithops a good watering during this time since it coincides with seasonal rains in the wild (early September). Around this time, flowers begin to bloom; keep an eye out for the fissure to open and the bud to emerge. For lithops to flower, they must be at least three years old.
With the new pair of leaves growing inside the old, lithops continue to grow throughout the winter and into the next spring. However, it’s crucial to avoid watering in the winter. The soil should be extremely dry since the new pair of leaves actually grows by taking water from the old pair.
The new leaves emerge in the spring as the old leaves begin to shrink. When the old pair of leaves has fully withered, begin watering once more. Water sparingly, letting the compost dry up in between applications.
Summertime, often the hottest time of year in their native southern African climate, is when lithops go dormant. Then, in early September, when growth resumes, give them a big drink. Avoid watering them during this period.
Growing lithops: problem solving
The primary issue with growing lithops is overwatering or watering at the incorrect time of year. The plants’ markings may also fade in the absence of light. The red spider mite can be a nuisance in greenhouses and conservatories.
How quickly do living stones enlarge?
If pollinators are present or you’re willing to manually pollinate the plants using a little paintbrush, Lithops blossoms mature into a seed capsule. For effective cross-pollination, make sure to transfer pollen from one plant to another. It takes the lithops seed 8 to 9 months to mature completely inside the capsule. Pick the capsule up and crack it apart with a hard instrument to release the seed when it is dry but before it cracks open (don’t worry, you won’t harm the seeds inside). Although living stone plants grown from seeds are very easy to germinate, they take several years to reach a flowering maturity.
Make use of a cactus-specific potting mix while planting lithops seeds. Sand should be used to very lightly cover the seeds, and frequent misting with a pump-style mister should be used to maintain moisture. It’s important to prevent the soil’s surface from drying out. Keep a transparent plastic wrap over the pot until the lithops seeds start to sprout, which could take several months.
When growing lithops from seed, you’ll occasionally find fascinating natural hybrids with unusual color patterns that are often distinct from their parents. When the tiny plants are a few months old, divide and pot them.
When growing living stones from seed, how long does it take?
Since lithops seed resembles dust, seeding needs deft hands; alternatively, the seed can be mixed with silver sand for simpler handling. The optimal seasons to start are fall and spring, and it’s recommended to use a heated propagator or heat mat to keep the seeds’ germination temperature at a constant 20°C. Press the seed into the surface without covering it—seeds need light to germinate—and prepare a mixture of ready-dampened fine grit or sand and high-quality cactus compost that is split in half. Place the seeds in a plastic bag or under a transparent plastic top; after two to three weeks, or whenever the seeds sprout, remove the container. 12–18 months after sowing, leave in place until they are ready for pricking out.
How frequently should living stones be watered?
Between May and July, when living stone plants are actively growing, water them every two to three weeks or when the soil becomes dry. At each watering, soak the soil until water begins to drain from the bottom of the container. Wait until the earth is completely dry before watering again.
Do living stones have offspring?
Why are living stones lithops succulents called? A: Lithops succulents resemble stones in appearance but are actually a living, breathing plant.
Do Lithops succulents reproduce? A: When lithops succulents divide into two “stones,” or plants, they will naturally grow more.
How can I determine if my lithops are on their last legs? A: Succulents are robust, enduring plants that can withstand extreme heat; yet, cultivating them in a domestic setting can be difficult, particularly if you reside in an unfavorable region.
The two worst killers of succulents are excessive watering and insufficient sunlight. A surplus of water can lead to rotting. Succulents called lithops prefer not to be overwatered.
The following warning indicators indicate that your plant is failing:
- Yellowing
- leafy mushrooms
- Wilting
- Shriveling
- Sunburn
- broken leaves
When your lithops plant splits, should you water it? A: You should stop watering your lithops plant as soon as you observe it splitting. This is so that the new plant can grow properly, which requires absorbing all of the moisture from the old plant’s leaves. A splitting plant can be kept hydrated and full by being watered, which will eventually stop the splitting.
A: Can lithops be grown inside? Yes, lithops are a distinctive addition to your home, and they can flourish if they are grown in a sunny area of the building.
Are lithops uncommon? A: Lithops have very slow growth. Their seeds may take up to a year to germinate, and it might be difficult to propagate this plant. Lithops plants are uncommon as a result of the interaction of these characteristics; after all, they resemble flowering stones that emerge from the soil surface!
Why are my lithops getting wrinkled? A: If lithops are submerged or are exposed to excessive or insufficient sunshine, they may wrinkle. If you see that your lithops plant is beginning to wrinkle, you should relocate it to a new spot in your house or yard and alter your watering routine.
Does my lithops plant require pruning? A: Lithops don’t require pruning, but you should refer to a lithops pruning guide to determine what needs to be done if you think your plant is looking untidy. Lithops resemble stones, hence the plant keeps quite compact.
Can Lithops seeds be grown easily?
Learn to raise lithops; they will not let you down. As long as a few simple guidelines are followed, these intriguing “living stone” plants have adapted to life in captivity quite well.
They are among the succulent house plants that have successfully adapted to growing indoors.
Although they can be grown quite easily, these xerophytes can be picky about their soil, temperature, time of day, and watering requirements.
It won’t take you long to develop a passion with cultivating them once you understand the fundamental requirements.
In a climate-controlled setting, such a greenhouse, lithops thrive in shallow containers.
See how these amazing plants change with the seasons
Since they won’t need it all day, they should be shielded from the sun starting at noon.
They will favor a bright, filtered light source, such as those found under grow lights, behind sheer curtains, or beneath shade cloth.
When you do water them, give them a good soaking so the earth is totally soaked. After that, let the soil totally dry out.
How can I grow my Lithops?
Lithops are adorable miniature succulents. Although it can live for decades, the living stone plant is extremely sensitive to the seasons of the year. A wonderful burst of bright color among the season’s oranges and reds can be found when numerous species flower in the fall.
After going through some of the most popular types, let’s take a closer look at the lithops succulent plant’s life cycle.
Lithops Lifecycle
A pair of fleshy, succulent leaves that resemble stones and have a crack between them are typically all that can be seen while looking at a lithops above the ground. Most of the plant is located below the soil’s surface.
The leaf surfaces of these succulents include cells that resemble windows that let light penetrate deeply into the plant to support photosynthesis. The main taproot is crucial for the plant’s survival, but a network of smaller roots also aids in absorbing more nutrients as necessary.
Although some species flower in the spring or early summer, lithops typically flower in late autumn or early winter. Pushing up from the space between the two leaves will be a single blossom. Only plants older than 3 years (and occasionally even 5 years) will, however, bear flowers.
Lithops flowers resemble daisies and range in size from half an inch to an inch and a half, depending on the species. It can be white, pale yellow, or orange. Some are said to have a spicy-sweet fragrance.
The early afternoon is when these blooms open to let in sunshine and allow for pollination. The late afternoon, just before dusk, is when they close. Lithops are dependent on human or insect pollinators to produce seed because they are not self-pollinating.
The core of the lithops flower transforms into a seed capsule as it ages. Raindrops can cause seeds to bounce out of the capsule and land up to a foot distant from the parent plant after it opens. This capsule does not open until it has been moistened.
The lithops seed capsule will spontaneously seal when it dries up once more to save any leftover seeds. To simulate rain when trying to collect lithops seeds, drip water onto the seed capsule with a dropper until it reopens, then scoop out the tiny seeds.
The plant will become dormant after flowering is finished. It begins to develop a new body at this period. The new leaf pair will appear from the space between the old leaves as it starts to grow once more.
The plant will eventually move its nutrients and moisture from the old leaves to the new pair. Older leaves will become thinner. They can be removed to reveal the new plant body once they have dried to the point of becoming paper-thin and devoid of moisture.
By producing two leaf pairs rather than just one, lithops can increase in size and eventually grow into a clump of miniature plants.
Types of Lithops
At least 37 species and over 145 variants of lithops are thought to exist. Through hybridization, new varieties are frequently developed or bred.
Here are some of the most popular houseplant variations, however we won’t go over every potential lithops species today.
Lithops aucampiae, which bears Juanita Aucamp’s name, is a species that is native to South Africa. It can be grown in most sandy, incredibly well-draining soils, but it grows naturally in chert, quartzite, ironstone, and sandstone-based soils.
The majority of this type of living stone leans toward the red to red-brown color spectrum, and its flowers range in color from vivid to pale yellow. It is one of the species that can bear occasional wrong watering the best, which makes it very well-liked by gardeners.
Dorothea Huyssteen’s discovery of this species, also from South Africa, led to its name. It is capable of thriving in other grit-filled soils in addition to feldspar, sheared quartz, and quartzite, where it naturally grows.
The leaves of this species are speckled with cream-colored speckles and have a brown or deeper green surface. Every year, it produces a yellow blossom.
Lithops fulviceps, which is native to Namibia, favors rocky terrain and chilly desert settings. Although it may survive on limestone slopes as well, it naturally prefers settings rich in quartzite.
The upper surfaces of the leaves are mottled in shades of orange, brown, green, and occasionally cream, with the sides of the leaves having a greyish-green or yellowish hue. When the leaves are not flowering, they make a tidy oval but when they divide to flower, they resemble kidney beans very much.
A different South African stone plant is lithops hookeri, which prefers quartzite and lava rock along with some limestone to grow on. With leaves that are about two inches broad at its widest point, it can get very big for a living stone plant. It often grows alone, but it can group into clusters of up to 10 leaf pairs.
Its leaves’ upper surfaces can have brownish, red, or pink tones, with hints of orange on occasion. The sides of the leaves frequently have an almost terracotta tone and are dull grey or greyish-brown. Typically, it has vivid yellow flowers.
Lithops karasmontana can mimic the grey and brown tones of nearby quartzite stones, or, in some variants, like var. laricheana, it can grow a vivid red-orange upper leaf. The sides are consistently a shade of brown with a hint of grey.
Although it is native to Namibia, its name refers to the Karas Mountains, which are also present in South Africa. It blossoms into a bloom that is bright white with a yellow center.
The lesliei living stone is the only lithops-type plant that can be found in its natural habitat, which can be found in Botswana and parts of South Africa. The species’ colour varies greatly, with the leaves having hues as diverse as rust or coffee to pale green.
It frequently blends with the color of the soil around it, making it hard to spot, and rarely rises more than a few millimeters above the soil’s surface, furthering its camouflaging abilities. In South Africa, the yellow-flowered plants are frequently gathered for their therapeutic properties.
Lithops localis is a species that can endure insufficient watering practices. The majority of its surface usually has a consistent shade of grey or green-grey. The flat tops of the leaves are speckled with a deeper grey color.
It grows frequently among rocks and shady bushes in the southern Karoo region of South Africa where it is native to hide from predatory animals. It often blooms in the fall because its native location experiences the majority of its rainfall in the summer.
One of the few species that is adapted to winter irrigation is the Namibian species Lithops optica, which lives in a location that receives winter rainfall. Lithops optica var. rubra, which is purplish-pink all over, is the most common variation of this plant.
The blooms with very thin petals are often white or yellow in color. The majority of the plants of the optica species tend to be grey to grey-brown in color and have a highly spherical form, with the exception of the vividly colorful Rubra variant.
The truncate living stone, which originates in southwest Africa, is particularly recognizable. Although the upper leaf surfaces are speckled with cream, olive green, and rust tones, the outside leaf walls have a tendency to be uniformly grey in color.
The truncate living stone is a robust and durable species of lithops, one of the few that is frequently attacked by mealybugs. It frequently survives for months in its natural habitat with no water at all, just absorbing moisture from the air around it.
This specific living stone plant has a colour that closely resembles off-white, grey, or tan rock. While some kinds are a solid cream tint, others are brown or grey with darker streaks that resemble stones.
This specific living stone is also found in Namibia, where it typically dwells in rocky or chilly desert environments.
The habitat that is rich in minerals is where the salt-dwelling living stone naturally occurs, hence its name. It can be found in both Namibia and South Africa, and it is tolerant of improper watering techniques to a certain extent.
The grey to grey-green leaves are more tolerant of dry, cool conditions than some, however they cannot withstand freezes. It blooms in the late summer to early fall with a vivid white or yellow blossom. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded this species the Award of Garden Merit.
This living stone, one of the more recognizable species, frequently develops noticeable red warts on its surface. The colorations of various cultivars can vary, ranging from a reddish to a gray-green tone with the red warting.
Other verruculosa species produce white or yellow blooms, while the “Rose of Texas variant” has flowers with a pink tint. It comes from South Africa.
The green-rock plant is remarkably homogeneous in color and has its origins in a very restricted area of South Africa’s Northern Cape. The main surface has a dark grey-green tone, and the sides are either pure grey, greyish-pink, or grey.
Lithops viridis, which produces yellow blooms with yellow or white centers, is frequently only found in culture in botanical gardens. The greener specimens are some of the most sought-after because of the way they appear to rise from the arid earth as pale green-gray nubs.