Hello, dedicated caretaker. We are Lithops, the living stones. To truly thrive and show you our surprising, beautiful blooms, we require a very specific home for our roots. Our native land is the harsh, arid deserts of Southern Africa, and our soil must mimic those conditions perfectly. Here is how you can mix the perfect gritty soil for us.
Our greatest fear is not drought, but suffocation and rot. In the wild, our roots anchor us in coarse, mineral-based substrates that drain instantly after a rare rain. Standard potting soil is a death sentence for us; it retains far too much moisture and organic matter, which will lead to our delicate taproot and stem rotting. A gritty mix ensures that water flows through immediately, providing a quick drink without leaving our roots sitting in dampness.
Our soil mix should be at least 80-90% inorganic, gritty materials. These components provide structure, drainage, and aeration. The goal is to create a loose, open mix that allows our roots to breathe and explore easily. The remaining 10-20% can be a slightly organic component to hold a minimal amount of moisture and nutrients. A perfect recipe for our health is:
Coarse Horticultural Sand or Grit (40%): This is the backbone of the mix. It must be sharp or coarse, not fine play sand, which can compact. It provides weight and excellent drainage.
Perlite or Pumice (30%): These lightweight volcanic minerals are crucial. They are porous, helping to aerate the mix and prevent compaction while also wicking away excess moisture from the root zone.
Small Gravel or Crushed Granite (20%): This adds further grit and structure, mimicking the rocky ground of our homeland. It ensures the mix remains loose and never becomes muddy.
Sifted Cactus Soil (10%): This is your organic component. It should be sifted to remove large pieces of bark and then used sparingly. It provides a tiny reservoir for moisture and the minimal nutrients we require.
Please combine all the dry ingredients in a large container. Mix them thoroughly with your hands or a trowel until the components are evenly distributed. There is no need to wet the mix beforehand. Once combined, you are ready to pot us. Ensure our new pot has excellent drainage holes. Place a piece of mesh or a shard over the hole to prevent the mix from washing out. Gently position us in the pot and fill around our roots with your new gritty mix, tapping the pot to settle the soil without compacting it.
After repotting, wait at least 5-7 days before giving us a light watering. This allows any minor root disturbances to callus over, preventing rot. When you do water, do so thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes. Then, and this is the most important part, empty the saucer underneath and do not water again until the soil is completely dry and our bodies show slight signs of thirst (like slight wrinkling or softening). This cycle of thorough soaking followed by complete drought is the rhythm of our existence.
