From my perspective, the most immediate and honest sign I can show you is a change in my body. A healthy, well-hydrated Lithops is firm and turgid, filled with water stored in my leaf pair. When I am desperately underwatered, this stored water is depleted. My sides, which are normally smooth and plump, begin to cave in. Deep, vertical wrinkles appear, running from the top of my leaf fissure down towards the soil. I am not just slightly puckered; I become severely shriveled and feel soft and spongy to the touch, like a deflated balloon. This is my most direct cry for help, a clear indication that my internal water reserves are critically low and need to be replenished.
In my ideal state, my top surface, or window, is flat or slightly domed, sitting at or just above the soil line. This allows me to absorb the perfect amount of sunlight for photosynthesis. When I am starved of water, my entire structure begins to shrink and sink. You will notice my profile becoming concave, dipping inwards like a dent. More alarmingly, my body will start to recede down into the potting medium. Instead of standing proud, I will sink below the level of the gravel or soil around me. This is a defensive mechanism to reduce my surface area and minimize sun exposure, but it is a sign that I am struggling to survive in the arid conditions.
What you see above the soil is only part of the story. My root system is a delicate, fine network designed to quickly absorb any available moisture. In a persistently dry environment, these fine feeder roots can desiccate and die back. Without a healthy root system, I cannot drink even when you finally water me. A hidden sign of this is that my body may begin to loosen in the pot. If you gently nudge me, I might wobble or feel insecure because the roots that once anchored me have retracted or perished. Furthermore, you might notice a gap forming between my lower body and the soil—a physical manifestation of my shrinkage and detachment from my water source.
While my primary colors are often adapted to my dry native habitat, the stress of extreme thirst can cause them to change. I may lose my vibrant green, grey, or brown tones and become dull, pale, or take on a yellowish, sickly hue. This is a sign of severe stress. Furthermore, all my energy is being diverted to simple survival, not growth or reproduction. You will see a complete halt in any development. I will not flower, and I will certainly not begin the process of splitting to produce new leaves. My entire existence becomes a waiting game for the next drink, and all non-essential functions are shut down to preserve the little moisture I have left.
