Product Overview
Lithops Species – Living Stones.
A wonderfully interesting genus of succulents native to Southern Africa that basically resemble little rocks.
Their original habitat is hot and dry, so much so that plants in some areas never actually receive any rainfall, and survive solely on occasional moisture drawn from mist.
Lithops have adapted so well to resemble little stones, which makes it very difficult for grazing animals to find them.
They have also adapted to having a majority of the plant below soil level to reduce the amount of water loss, and the crown of the plant acts as a window to let sunlight penetrate deeper in to the plant where it can reach more chlorophyll for energy.
They really are the ultimate survivor of dry conditions as they are only basically made up of a pair of leaves and a tap root. Anymore than this would be extravagant, and lead to too much moisture loss.
Follow these tips and you can enjoy theses fascinating little plants.
Secrets of success:
Lithops are happiest in full sun. Give them at least 4-5 hours a day.
As Lithops can store water for several months, then the need to water is very infrequent. They also need more or less water at different times. Spring and Autumn more, Summer and Winter less to nothing.
Lithops are slightly different to many plants as they are dormant in Summer, when temperatures are at a peak, and there is little or no rainfall. So literally do not water them unless they start to look shrivelled, you can then give a very small amount of water and they will rehydrate and plump up again.
In Autumn growth will resume, quite often with a flower bud forming. You can then water by the soak and dry method. Water well then wait until the compost has completely dried out before watering again.
It`s important not to over water as this will lead to the plants demise.
Lithops don`t need any extra fertiliser.
Aftercare:
Lithops develop a new pair of leaves each year. As the new pair emerges from the centre of the old pair, then the old pair will shrivel and die. This normally happens after the plant has flowered. During this time do not water as the new leaves will take what they need out of the old pair of leaves.
Lithops will only need repotting once they have completely outgrown their current pot. If necessary do this in Spring, using only the best free draining cacti and succulent compost.
Mature plants can increase in size by division, where the plant can become 2 pairs of leaves, or 2 bodies on 1 root system. Some plants in Lithops collections have as many as 10 bodies, pairs of leaves.
Warnings:
Not known to be toxic to pets or humans.
