Plant Bio

Lithops are AWESOME!

Watering: Please Note: Lithops are NOT a type of "Water When Dry" plant. ONLY water when the new leaves come and the old leaves have shriveled. This can be 2 times a year. A light misting once a month is OK in very hot summer months. NEVER water in the winter months as they go dormant. That's all they need!!  They are extremely prone to root rot!

Lithops aka Living Stones, collection of individual lithops, they come in a 2.5″ plastic container usually containing 2-4 lithops in each container, but sometimes/rarely only 1 very larger and mature one, based on stock, size and other factors. Sometimes we also ship them in plastic square 2" containers, they will have multiples as well. Sizes and colors of lithops vary based on current stock and season!!! Please note that 99% of lithops are browns and grays. Other colors are a rarity.

Watering:
Tap water or distilled water is fine. Humidity is not required for this plant. Treat it as a cactus.. Be sure not to over water. It will take up all the water that is put in the pot. So if too much water is given..the plant will swell and split. **I've been told by a grower of lithops a light mist in the winter every few weeks is ok....***

Light:
Lighting is just as easy. The Lithops can take full strength sun. No shade is required. However…if doing so be sure to water every week (instead of every other ). For indoors…A window sill with any direction light will do. Too much light is not a problem. Too little light is. You know when the plant is not getting enough light when it appears to be ‘reaching’ for it. Meaning it will lose its rock like appearance and grow taller. If this is noticed, simply find another place with more light.

Temperatures:
The Lithops will do fine in just about any temperature that it is given. Naturally found in the desert of South Africa and north, the plant will do fine with temps in the upper 90′s (Fahrenheit) to 100 degrees. On the other side of the scale…do not allow your Lithops to freeze. It will do fine in temperatures in the upper 40′s and greater. If it freezes it will die.

Fertilizer:
Fertilizer is a requirement that is of some debate with growers. To play it safe…a diluted amount of 20-20-20 plant food ( about 1/4 strength) will be fine about 1 a month. No more than that. After the plant flowers in late Fall/early Winter ( see special notes ) no fertilizer should be applied to the plant until after the new growth comes n.

Soil:
The soil mix for this plant will vary from person to person. The best mix would be 40% peat moss and 60% perlite to allow drainage. The pot needs to be able to allow excess water to drain ( for fear of plant swelling). So a loose soil will be best.

Growth:
The growth cycle of the Lithops is quite unique. There are basically 3 stages. The plant has no dormancy period ( that is noticeable ). In the Fall ( sometimes Winter ) the Lithops will shoot a flower up between the
leaves. It will look like a small daisy ( most colors are yellow and white). After the flower dies off ALL WATERING/FERTILIZING SHOULD BE STOPPED!!! It is at this point the plant will rest a short time. Then from the middle again two new leaves will start to form. They will take all the moisture
and nutrients from the old. This is why it is important not to water/fertilize ( it will disrupt the process ). The old leaves will shrivel and die and the new ones will come in and replace the old. After
that point…it is safe to resume watering/fertilizing.

Reproduction:
The Lithops will reproduce by runner ( a ‘root’ that will spread out ). A new plant will come up (usually by the parent.) The other way that they will reproduce is by seed.