From a Lithops plant's perspective, the common terms "summer dormancy" and "winter dormancy" are slightly misleading. Our life cycle is not defined by a simple sleep/wake pattern but by a precise sequence of growth stages tied to seasonal rainfall in our native South African habitats. True dormancy for us is a period of near-total metabolic stasis to avoid extreme stress. What many gardeners call "summer dormancy" is, for us, a period of slowed but crucial activity focused on internal development, not external growth.
During the hottest, driest part of the year, typically from late spring to late summer, our primary goal is water conservation. We dramatically slow down water uptake through our roots and cease the production of new leaves. Above ground, we appear completely inactive. However, below the surface, a remarkable process is underway. Using the energy stored in our old leaf pair, we are developing a completely new plant body inside the existing one. This is not a period of sleep but of hidden metamorphosis. The intense heat and sun are not our enemies during this phase; they are the expected environmental cues that trigger this vital internal process.
To support this internal transformation, your care should mimic the dry season of our homeland. The most critical rule is to withhold water entirely. Any external moisture can confuse our physiology, as our roots are not in water-absorption mode. Introducing water risks rot, as the humid, hot conditions are ideal for fungal pathogens that can quickly kill us. We rely entirely on the moisture stored within our old leaves. Provide us with maximum sunlight and excellent air circulation. This ensures our outer leaves ripen and harden properly, protecting the delicate new growth inside. A slight shading during the most intense afternoon sun may be necessary to prevent scorching, but we still require abundant light.
Our "dormancy" breaks not with cooler temperatures, but with the signal of autumn rains. A drop in temperature combined with longer, cooler nights and the first drink of water tells us it is time to grow. This is our primary active period. The flower bud, which has been developing internally, will emerge and bloom. After flowering, the new leaf pair that has been forming all summer will begin its rapid growth, drawing moisture and nutrients directly from the old leaves. This is when our roots are actively seeking water and nutrients from the soil.
Throughout the winter, the new leaf pair continues to grow at the expense of the old, shriveling leaves. During this time, we require careful watering. Our soil must be allowed to dry out completely between waterings, as cooler temperatures and lower light levels slow down evaporation and our water usage. If temperatures drop near or below freezing, we enter a true state of dormancy. Our cells cannot tolerate ice formation, so our metabolism grinds to a halt to prevent damage. In this cold-induced dormancy, all watering must cease until temperatures rise consistently above safe thresholds.
As spring arrives and temperatures warm, the old leaves have typically been reduced to dry sheaths. The new, plump leaf pair is now fully exposed and functional. This is a short transitional period. If the plant is well-established, a light watering can be given to support root health before the heat of summer triggers the next cycle of internal development. Once the intense heat of late spring arrives, we return to our "summer rest" pattern, and the cycle begins anew.
