Hello! I am a Lithops, often called a "Living Stone." I look this way—like a small, split rock—not to be difficult, but because I am a master of survival. My ancestors come from the incredibly harsh, sun-scorched deserts of southern Africa. My pebble-like appearance is my primary defense against thirsty herbivores; I am simply an expert in camouflage. My entire body is engineered for water conservation. The two thick, fleshy leaves you see are my water storage tanks, designed to carry me through months, even years, of drought.
I am a sun-worshipper by nature. I crave bright, direct light for several hours a day to thrive. Without it, I will become etiolated—stretching out awkwardly and becoming pale and weak. A south-facing windowsill is my ideal spot. However, if you have just brought me home or are moving me into stronger light, please acclimate me gradually. Even I can get a sunburn if introduced to intense light too quickly, which will leave unsightly brown scars on my surface.
This is the most common way well-meaning plant parents harm me: with too much kindness, also known as water. My watering needs are dictated by my growth cycle. Water me ONLY when my sides look wrinkled and slightly sunken, and the soil is completely bone-dry. During my active growth periods in autumn and spring, this might be every few weeks. In the scorching heat of summer, I am dormant; please withhold water entirely. Most critically, when I am splitting open to produce a new leaf pair (usually late winter/spring), you must not water me. I am reabsorbing moisture from my old leaves to fuel the new growth. Watering then can cause rot and my certain death.
My roots are extremely susceptible to rot. I demand a home that provides exceptionally sharp drainage. A specialized cactus and succulent mix is a good start, but I truly prefer it to be amended with extra inorganic materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand (a 1:1 ratio of soil to grit is perfect). My pot must have a drainage hole—this is non-negotiable. A shallow, terracotta pot is ideal because it allows the soil to dry out quickly and breathes, further reducing the risk of root rot.
Please understand that my life cycle may seem strange. I flower in the autumn, often producing a white or yellow daisy-like bloom. After flowering, I begin to grow a new body from the center of the split. You will see the old leaves shrivel and wither around the new pair. This is a natural and necessary process; do not remove the old leaves until they are paper-dry. They are providing nourishment to the new me. In summer, I am resting, and in winter, I am focused on this inner transformation.
