Product Details
Highlights
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.
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 a pot with a drainage hole. We recommend using unglazed terrracotta pots 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.
Product Size
2.5" Pot
Bloom Color
White Bloom, Yellow Bloom
Grow Zone (Hardiness)
Zone 10 (30F)
Recommended Light Conditions
Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun
Maximum Height
Under 3"
Maximum Rosette Size
Under 3"
Growth Habit / Shape
Clumping / Mounding
Special Characteristic
Pet Safe, Slow Grower
THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+
WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?
Videos
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Questions & Answers
Popular Questions
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GROW LIGHT
Light Output
- Lumens are the main measure of light output or brightness you should consider. Our eyes are not very objective when it comes to measuring brightness, so it's important to read a grow light's specifications before purchase.
- Select a grow light that provides 300 - 800 lumens per square foot.
Wattage…
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Shop Succulent Soil Here
Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.
IN POTS…
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Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.
Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.
Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.
Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength
Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.
HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS
- Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
- Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
- Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…
Different succulent varieties have different light needs. You can find the Recommended Light Conditions on each variety's page by scrolling down to the Product Details. We use four categories of recommended light, and some plants can thrive under a range of light conditions.
LOW INDOOR LIGHT
- Can grow indoors without direct sun.
- Placing outdoors in direct sun or on sunny window sills might cause dark burns.
- There are a limited number of succulent varieties that thrive in low light, notably Haworthia, Gasteria, Peperomia, and some Jade…
Many succulent varieties are only available seasonally because of their growing and propagation cycles. During the growing season, we can usually restock sets and trays weekly. Most individual plants will go in and out of stock through the seasons, but they are also restocked weekly when available. Thursday is usually the best day of the week for finding plants in stock. Spring and Summer are generally the best seasons for availability.
Any product that is out of stock has an "Email me when a product is back in stock" button (shown above). Click the button and enter your email to be notified when it's available again. If this button isn't appearing, the plant may have very recently sold out - check back after a short while and the button should appear.
