From my perspective as a Lithops, water is a precious and rare resource. My entire being is designed to survive in arid environments with infrequent rainfall. My body is composed of two fused leaves that act as a water storage reservoir. This pair of leaves is all I have to sustain me through long periods of drought. When I receive too much water, this storage system becomes overwhelmed. Conversely, when I receive too little for an excessively long time, my reserves become depleted. My growth cycle is also crucial; I have a distinct period of growth in the autumn and a period of dormancy in the summer when I should be kept almost completely dry, especially when I am splitting to form a new body.
Overwatering is the greatest threat to my existence. It attacks me from the ground up. When the soil around my roots is constantly wet, the delicate root hairs begin to suffocate and rot because they cannot access the oxygen they need. This root rot then spreads upwards into my main body. You will notice I become mushy and soft to the touch, much like an overripe fruit. My normally firm and turgid leaves will wrinkle in a swollen, translucent way, and my color may turn yellow or an unnatural brown. In severe cases, my skin may split open, or I will simply collapse into a mushy pile. This rot is often fatal because it destroys my vital systems before showing clear signs on the surface.
While I am built for drought, I still require water to survive and grow. When I am underwatered, I am simply using up the internal moisture stored in my leaves. The symptom is a distinct wrinkling or puckering on the sides of my leaves. However, unlike the mushy, swollen wrinkles of overwatering, these wrinkles are accompanied by a deflated, flat appearance. My leaves will feel soft but not mushy, and they will lose their plumpness, sinking inward from the sides and top. The key difference is that I will still feel firm-ish to the touch, not slimy. My skin will remain its normal, opaque color but may appear slightly duller. I am essentially shrinking as I consume my own water supply.
The most reliable way to understand my needs is to observe my annual cycle and physically feel my body. Gently press the sides of my leaves. If I am rock-hard, I am full of water and do not need any. If I am slightly soft with some give and have side wrinkles, I am likely ready for a drink. The best time to water me is during my growth period in the fall and spring. Always check that the soil is completely dry before even considering watering. When you do water, water thoroughly around the base and then allow all the water to drain away completely, ensuring I am not left sitting in a saucer of water. When in doubt, it is always safer to err on the side of dryness. I can recover from being shriveled, but I often cannot recover from rot.
