You’ve been browsing the succulents section of our ROOTS GARDEN and you’ve come across nothing less than a pair of flat-topped rocks. Is that so? Let us tell you that it’s the stone plant, living rocks or lithops, an unusual African genus of succulents.
Sometimes called split rocks or pebble plants, living stone plants are extremely drought resistant and are very popular in low water gardens in desert regions. They can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but outdoor growers should be careful not to overwater them.
The term lithops is both singular and plural, so don’t go looking for a lithops: always look for lithops. This living stone plant is easy and fun, and definitely something different to mix into your succulent garden!
Lithops are fascinating little succulents. The living stone plant is very sensitive to the seasons, but can live for decades. Plus, many species bloom in the fall, which can be a great burst of light color amidst all the oranges and reds of the season.
Life cycle of lithops
When you look at a lithops, all you see above the soil surface is usually a pair of fleshy, succulent leaves that look like stones, with an indentation between them. Most of the plant is below the soil surface.
These succulents have window-like cells on the surface of the leaves that allow light to penetrate deep into the plant to aid in photosynthesis. The main root is the most important for the plant’s survival, but a series of finer roots also help to obtain additional nutrition when needed.
Lithops bloom in late fall or early winter in general, although some species bloom in spring or early summer. A single flower will emerge from the crack between the pair of leaves. However, only plants older than three years (and sometimes five years) will produce flowers. The lithops flower looks similar to a daisy and, depending on the species, can be between one and a half to almost four centimeters in diameter. It can be orange, white or pale yellow.
Some have a scent that is described as spicy sweet. These flowers will open in the early afternoon to absorb sunlight and allow pollination, and then close in the late afternoon before dusk. Since lithops are not self-pollinating, they rely on pollinating insects or humans to produce seeds.
When the lithops flower fades, the center forms a seed capsule. This capsule does not open unless it has become wet, but once it does, raindrops can cause the seeds to bounce out of the capsule and fall up to 30 centimeters away from the parent plant.
As the lithops seed capsule dries out again, it will naturally close to protect the remaining seeds inside. If you are trying to harvest lithops seeds, you can simulate rain by using an eyedropper to drip water over the seed capsule until it reopens and then remove the fine seeds.
Once flowering is finished, the plant will become dormant. During this time, it begins to form a new body. When it starts to grow again, the new pair of leaves will emerge from the crack between the old leaves.
Over time, the plant will draw its moisture and nutrients from the older leaves and transfer it to the new pair. The older leaves will thin out. Once they have become paper thin and are stripped of their moisture, they can be removed to reveal the new body of the plant.
Lithops can grow in size by creating two pairs of leaves instead of a single pair, and can gradually expand to become a group of small plants.
Tips for the care of your living stone or lithops plant
For the most part, lithops are very practical – they handle themselves quite well! But there are a few things about caring for lithops that you will need to know.
- Light
In its natural environment, lithops is a full sun plant. It requires sufficient sunlight to produce its colorful, stone-like display. However, in gardens or as houseplants, 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day should be enough to keep your plant happy.
In coastal regions or where temperatures are cooler, you may be able to leave it in direct sun all day. Those living in desert conditions or areas where excessive heat is reached will want to place your plants where they will receive some afternoon shade to cool off.
Not growing your lithops outdoors? Make sure it gets enough sunlight every day and rotate your plant regularly. Etiolation, an elongation or deformation of the leaves, can occur if your plant doesn’t get enough sun. It will stretch its leaves to try to get as much light as possible.
Color fading can also become a problem if your plant receives too little light. Generally, a south- or west-facing window will give your plant enough sunlight to thrive, but you’ll want to turn it regularly so that the entire plant gets some sun.
If your plant is indoors and was in low light conditions during the winter months, slowly readapt your lithops to longer periods of light in the spring by gradually increasing their full sun exposure. This will prevent scarring or sunburn from forming on the leaves.
Plants found in warm climates (regions where it does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius) can remain outdoors throughout the winter and will not need gradual exposure.
Temperature
South African regions such as Namibia, where lithops originates, rarely experience frosty conditions. This means that the plant itself has never adapted to colder temperatures, and really does not like the cold. It avoids exposure to freezing temperatures, because the cell walls of the thick leaves will rupture if it gets too cold.
This will cause your plant to rot and die. Ideally, do not allow your lithops to remain in conditions below 10 degrees Celsius and never leave it outside below 7 degrees.
While the optimum growing range for lithops is between 18 and 26 degrees, these desert plants can tolerate temperatures up to 39 degrees for short periods of time. However, they are best exposed to morning sun and afternoon shade in these conditions.
Water
The most difficult part of lithops care is watering, because the plant is from a zone of extreme drought. In its natural environment, it is not discounted less than two centimeters of water in a year. Needless to say, the plant has adapted to a life of water conservation.
Almost the entire plant is dedicated to storing water to sustain itself – those fleshy, rock-like leaves are basically water tanks for the plant’s survival!
Because of this, you should water according to the time of year, because the plant has different seasonal habits. Spring and fall are the plant’s normal growing seasons and the time when it is most likely to need water. During those seasons, limit watering to once every 10 days or less. Do not water unless the soil has completely dried to four to five inches below the surface.
If your plant seems happy without water during the spring and fall, don’t water it. Chances are it is getting enough moisture from the humidity in the air. Many species of lithops extract most of their moisture from dew or moist air.
Exposure to rain should be very limited. As mentioned, these plants are not used to having a lot of water, and too much will cause plant decay! During the summer, we are all used to watering our plants more frequently. However, perennials remain dormant during the summer heat, and it is important to water them only if the plant is shriveling up and the leaves appear to be drying out.
If watering during the summer, water early in the morning and give only a small amount of water. The smaller amount should provide enough moisture for the leaves to regrow and the plant to look as good as new. Avoid watering during the winter altogether. Your plant will also be in a semi-dormant state, although sometimes a flower can remain in the early part of the winter months.
Soil
A sand-rich, well-draining potting mix cactus mix is ideal for most lithops plants. Their natural environment ranges from sand to decomposed granite, and rarely holds much water. The ideal fertilizer for your living stones is also available from ROOTS GARDEN.
Soils that hold too much moisture can cause your lithops to develop root rot or can encourage the development of pests that can attack the roots. Since their natural environment is quite harsh, they tolerate poor soil much better than rich soils, so opt for the sandy or gritty mix side.
Fertilizer
As a general rule, it is not necessary to fertilize your lithops. These plants receive almost no fertilizer in their natural environment. However, some people offer their living stone plant a small burst of fertilizer just before their normal blooming season to encourage flowering. If you choose to do that, use a very dilute cactus fertilizer, one that has a formulation low in nitrogen and high in potassium.
As with watering, you should fertilize sparingly, if at all. And avoid foliar fertilization, as it can cause sunburn on the leaves.
We are waiting for you at ROOTSwhere we have your living stone plant and the best advice for its care. Our garden center in Tenerife is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and on Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Finally, subscribe to our newsletter specialized on healthy products, plant care, gardening tips, home decorating ideas and much more from ROOTS. In addition, enjoy the rest of videos of our garden center in Tenerife we have prepared for you.