Lithops localis - Local Living Stone

Highlights

Local Living Stone (Lithops localis) (Schwantes): A steely grey Lithops species with speckled leaf windows and a light orange blush that gets stronger in bright sunlight. Unlike many Lithops, this plant offsets with some degree of regularity and can form a neat clump given time.

Yellow 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.

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Silver

All Seasonal Colors

Orange / Copper

Bloom Color

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+

10

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Popular Questions

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1 year ago

Hi I want to put together a “rock garden” can you tell me if these plants would all do well in one container See answer

The plants considering are Lithops Lesliei, Split Rock, and Lithops Localis How many could I have on one medium size dish See more »

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1 year ago

We highly recommend planting these types in separate pots, especially if you are new to mesemb succulents. They have very specific watering needs and are very susceptible to rot if watered at the wrong time. This makes multi-plant arrangements challenging, when one plant needs water at a time when another is flowering or splitting and must not be watered. That said, people with experience growing mesembs can make it work with lots of attention and very judicious watering. See full answer »

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4 years ago

Is it just one Lithops living stone for the price? Wanted to check before I ordered multiple. See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes, most pots have just one Lithops Living Stone plant in them, but occasionally there'll be smaller, bonus Living Stones surrounding the main plant. See full answer »

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4 years ago

Can I plant split rocks and lithops together, or might separate pots be better for a novice gardener? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes, for a beginner we recommend planting each of these in its own pot. They have finicky, seasonal watering schedules and it can be difficult to keep them in a single pot when they're at different stages of needing water or needing to stay dry. That said, they both like VERY gritty soil (like this Bonsai Jack Gritty Mix) and lots of sunshine, so advanced growers do manage to grow them together in a single pot just fine. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Is it okay to plant multiple lithops living stones in one pot? See answer

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8 months ago  •  Staff Answer

For most growers, we recommend planting each Lithops in its own pot, because it makes them much easier to care for. They have finicky, seasonal watering schedules and it can be difficult to grow multiple in a single pot when they're at different stages of needing water or needing to stay dry. That said, it is possible to grow multiple Lithops in a single pot, especially if they are synced up or for advanced growers. See full answer »

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10 months ago

My lithops are getting smaller after splitting. Why is that happening? See answer

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10 months ago  •  Staff Answer

We can better diagnose this if you email us a photo and indicate which leaves are shrinking at info@mountaincrestgardens.com. Please include answers to the following questions as well:
Growing conditions (full sun, part sun, filtered sun, indoors, outdoors, etc.) Soil used for planting Watering schedule Does the container have a hole for drainage? See full answer »

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1 year ago

Can I use lithops in a succulent arrangement? See answer

Your suggestion is one lithops plant per pot, so what happens in a plant arrangement? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

We do not recommend planting a Lithops in a succulent arrangement. Lithops have very particular watering cycles that make it challenging to grow multiple in one pot, much less combine them with other types of plants. For more info on their watering cycles, check out our Lithops Video.
Source: https://youtu.be/TvSARePRazQ See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

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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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

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.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

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

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

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…

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