We are Lithops, a genus of succulent plants native to the arid, rocky landscapes of southern Africa. You may know us as "living stones" or "pebble plants," a name we have earned through our highly specialized form of mimicry. Our bodies consist of two fused, succulent leaves separated by a fissure. This low-profile, stone-like appearance is our primary defense against herbivores in our harsh native habitats. We are not a single entity but a diverse genus with numerous species and cultivars, many of which have found new homes in collections across the United States.
To understand our varieties, you must first understand our life cycle. We do not grow like typical plants. Our pair of leaves constitutes a single body. Each year, a new body emerges from the fissure, drawing moisture and nutrients from the old leaves, which then shrivel away. Our flowers, which are daisy-like and typically white or yellow, emerge from this central fissure, usually in the fall. Our taproot system is substantial but requires excellent drainage to prevent rot. We are masters of water conservation, storing all the moisture we need to survive extended droughts within our leaf pairs.
The vast diversity among us is expressed through the patterns, colors, and textures on our leaf surfaces. These "windows" and "islands" are not merely decorative; they are adaptations that allow sunlight to penetrate deep into our interior tissues for photosynthesis while minimizing exposure to the intense desert sun. In cultivation, enthusiasts categorize us by these markings. You will find us with intricate, dark-lined patterns known as "punctate," with mottled "reticulate" networks, or with large, translucent "windowed" areas. Our base colors range from myriad shades of grey, green, and brown to rust, pink, and even purple.
While many hybrids and cultivated varieties exist, several species are particularly sought after and available from specialized nurseries in the U.S. Lithops aucampiae is valued for its robustness and rusty-brown to chocolate-brown coloration. Lithops karasmontana, named after the Karas Mountains, often displays a beautiful contrast between its greyish body and reddish-brown markings. Lithops optica 'Rubra' is a striking cultivar, its entire body a deep, uniform magenta or purple, lacking the typical window patterns. Lithops pseudotruncatella is known for its deeply rugose, irregularly patterned surface that looks remarkably like weathered granite. Lithops lesliei is one of the most variable and widespread species, offering a huge range of patterns and colors from its many natural forms and cultivars.
If you wish to cultivate us, you must respect our origins. We demand a very specific watering regimen that aligns strictly with our growth cycle. Water should be withheld completely during our summer dormancy and after the old leaves have been absorbed in late spring. The greatest threat to our well-being is root rot from excessive moisture. We require a pot with excellent drainage and a gritty, mineral-based soil mix with very little organic matter. We thrive in bright, direct light for several hours a day. During winter, we must be kept entirely dry and protected from frost, as we cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
