Lithops - Living Stones [small]

Lithops or "Living Stones": Rare mesembs from South Africa that are accustomed to full sun, rocky soil, and droughts that last several months. Only the very tops of the leaves are visible aboveground and even these are well-camouflaged in a variety of colors and patterns to blend in with the surrounding geology. This assortment of species tends to show vibrant pink, orange, blue, and green tones with darker, patterned leaf tops. They have deep taproots and need very little water and a well-draining soil in order to prevent their fleshy leaves from exploding. These particular Lithops are smaller than our regulars, roughly 1.0" in diameter.

Yellow or white flowers usually emerge in autumn followed by splitting to reveal a new, inner pair of leaves. The inner leaf pair get all the water they need from the older, outer pair. The soil must be kept dry to allow the outer leaf pair to wither and fall off. Lithops can be challenging plants to grow, but here are some pointers to help you along the way:

• Transplant into deep pots with drainage holes. We recommend looking for a pot that's narrow but 4" or deeper and only planting one Lithops per pot
• Use gritty, well-draining soil, such as 80% mineral grit and 20% organic matter
• Grow in full sun or on a very sunny window sill
• Water in the fall and spring growing seasons, waiting for deep wrinkling before watering again
• Do not water in winter or when a Lithops is splitting
• Begin spring watering only when the older, outer leaves have shriveled into paper-thin sheets
• Water very sparingly in summer ONLY if you notice severe wrinkling on the top; wrinkles on sides are a normal part of their annual cycle and not an indicator that they should be watered

For more information on this rare species, check out Lithops.info or our Guide to Cultivating Lithops.

Please Note: One order = one Lithops, though sometimes there will be additional, smaller Lithops in the pot. Lithops come in a variety of colors. You will receive one color, chosen by us.