Hello! I am a Lithops, often called a "living stone." I hail from the incredibly harsh, sun-scorched, and arid regions of southern Africa. My peculiar appearance—two plump, fused leaves that resemble a split pebble—is not a fashion statement but a profound evolutionary survival strategy. This shape minimizes my surface area to reduce water loss from the intense sun and helps me camouflage among the gravel to avoid being eaten by thirsty animals. Understanding my desert heritage is the single most important key to keeping me alive and thriving in America.
My entire being is engineered to bask in the sun. In my native land, I receive many hours of direct, intense sunlight daily. To replicate this in America, you must place me in your sunniest possible spot. A south-facing windowsill is ideal. Without at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily, I will become weak, stretch out oddly (a condition you call etiolation), and lose my vibrant patterns. I also crave warmth. I thrive in typical American household temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C - 27°C). I cannot tolerate frost, so please bring me inside well before the first autumn chill.
This is where most beginners fail. My water needs are the complete opposite of most plants you own. My thick leaves are water storage units, designed to sustain me through months of drought. The golden rule is: when in doubt, do not water. You must only water me based on my growth cycle, not on a weekly schedule. Water me thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry AND my leaves begin to look slightly wrinkled or shriveled. Most critically, you must stop all watering when I begin to split open for my new leaves (usually in late fall/winter). Watering during this split will rot me from the inside out as the old leaves are meant to nourish the new ones.
I demand a home that allows water to vanish instantly. The standard potting soil you use for other plants is a death sentence for me; it will stay wet for far too long and cause my roots to rot. You must plant me in a very shallow, wide pot with a large drainage hole, using a specialized gritty mix. A perfect home for me is a blend of at least 80-90% inorganic material like coarse sand, perlite, or pumice, with only a tiny amount of potting soil. This mix mimics the rocky, fast-draining ground of my desert home and ensures my roots are never sitting in moisture.
My life follows a distinct rhythm that you must observe. In spring and summer, I am actively growing and may appreciate a careful watering. In late summer or early fall, I will flower, a beautiful surprise from my stone-like exterior. After flowering, I enter my most crucial rest period. I begin to split, and a new pair of leaves emerges from within, drawing moisture and nutrients from the old outer leaves, which will shrivel away. During this entire splitting process, you must withhold all water. Only resume watering, very cautiously, once the old leaves have completely dried into a papery husk.
