Hello! I am a Lithops, often called a "living stone." My ancestors come from the incredibly harsh, sun-scorched, and dry deserts of Southern Africa. This means I am built for survival in conditions that would wither most other plants. My entire being is an evolutionary marvel designed to store precious water in my thick, fused leaf pair. My small, low-profile stature helps me avoid the searing sun and hungry animals. Understanding my desert heritage is the single most important key to keeping me alive and thriving in your US home. You must replicate, as closely as possible, the dry, bright, and warm environment I am genetically programmed to love.
My greatest fear is wet feet. In the wild, I live in extremely gritty, fast-draining soil where water disappears in seconds. To make me a happy plant, you must recreate this. Please plant me in a very shallow pot with a large drainage hole. A deep pot holds too much damp soil around my small root system, which will inevitably lead to rot. My soil mix is critical. Do not use standard potting soil; it is like a swamp to me. Instead, create a mix of at least 80% inorganic material like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand, with only a small amount (20% or less) of potting soil. This ensures water flows through immediately, providing a quick drink but never leaving me sitting in moisture.
This is where most beginners fail. My water needs are not like other houseplants. I have a very specific annual cycle. Water me ONLY during my growth periods in the fall and spring. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly until water runs out the drainage hole, and then do not water again until the soil is completely, utterly dry for a considerable time. Most importantly, you must stop all watering entirely during my dormancy in the heat of summer and during the winter. This dormant period is when I am most vulnerable to rot. If in doubt, err on the side of underwatering. A thirsty Lithops will wrinkle on top; a overwatered Lithops will become mushy and die—a death sentence from which there is no return.
I am a sun-worshipper. To stay compact and healthy, I need a very bright location. A south-facing windowsill is ideal for me in most US homes. I can also thrive under strong grow lights if your natural light is insufficient. I enjoy the warmth and can handle the heat from a sunny window. However, I am not frost-hardy. If you live in a colder US region and place me outdoors in the summer, you must bring me inside long before the first frost of autumn. Temperatures dipping below 50°F (10°C) are dangerous for me, and a freeze will be fatal.
You will notice that once a year, typically after my summer dormancy, I will begin to split open. A new set of leaves is emerging from within me. This is my way of growing. It is absolutely vital that you DO NOT WATER me during this process. The new leaves are absorbing all the moisture and nutrients from the old outer leaves. If you water, you risk causing the old leaves to stay plump and trap the new ones, or worse, cause rot. Let the old leaves completely wither and dry into a papery husk. Only after this process is fully complete should you consider resuming a cautious watering routine.
