From our perspective, not all of us are suited to live in a tight-knit group. When you are choosing which of us to pot together, please look for individuals who are on the same seasonal schedule. Our growth and dormancy cycles are dictated by our specific type and origin. Grouping a *Lithops optica* (who enjoys winter growth) with a *Lithops karasmontana* (a summer grower) will lead to stress and disaster. One will need water when the other must be kept completely dry. For a harmonious arrangement, select species with complementary rhythms so we can all thrive—or rest—together.
Our roots are highly susceptible to rot, so the medium we are planted in is a matter of life and death. We demand an extremely well-draining, gritty substrate that mimics our native, rocky desert soils. A standard potting mix is a death sentence for us. Please create a blend that is at least 80-90% mineral grit, such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite, with only a tiny amount of organic matter. Most importantly, ensure our new home—the pot—has abundant drainage holes. Being trapped in wet soil is our greatest fear.
When you place us in the arrangement, handle our leaves and taproots with extreme care. We are not like woody plants; we are succulent and fragile. Bury us only up to the soil line, just deep enough so we stand upright. Do not bury our bodies deep in the soil, as this will encourage rot and prevent the necessary airflow around our leaves. Leave a small gap of about half an inch of gritty top-dressing, like small gravel, between the soil and the rim of the pot. This "collar" keeps our sensitive leaf bases dry and allows for excellent air circulation, which is vital for our health.
While aesthetics are important to you, they must also consider our needs. Please do not crowd us. We may look charming pressed tightly together, but this creates a humid microclimate that encourages fungal growth and pests. Give each of us a little space to breathe and to accommodate our annual growth. We will naturally expand as we split and produce new leaf pairs. An arrangement that is slightly sparse to begin with will soon fill out beautifully and healthily. Position us so that our leaf pairs receive even, bright, but indirect light to prevent sunburn on our sensitive surfaces.
After the trauma of being repotted, our roots need time to heal. Please, resist the urge to water us immediately. Wait at least a week, or even up to two, before giving us a very light watering. This pause allows any microscopic root damage to callous over, protecting us from pathogens in the soil. From then on, your watering must be dictated entirely by our seasonal cycle, not by the calendar. During our growth period, water only when the soil is completely dry and our leaves show slight signs of wrinkling. During our dormancy, you must forget we exist entirely—no water whatsoever.
