Lithops Care Guide — Living Stones
About Lithops Care Guide
Care guide for Lithops (Living Stones). Fascinating succulent that mimics rocks. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Here are the key things to understand: Light: Full sun, 5-6 hours minimum. Water: Extremely sparingly — a few times per year. Soil: Mostly mineral — 80% grit, 20% soil. Temperature: 50-80°F, keep dry in winter. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.
The most common reasons this occurs include: Evolved to look like rocks for camouflage. Two fused leaves with translucent windows. Flowers emerge from the split between leaves. One of the most unique succulents. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.
To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Provide maximum direct sunlight. Water ONLY when leaves start to wrinkle. NEVER water during split/regeneration period. Use mostly mineral substrate — pumice, perlite, sand. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.
This article is part of our Succulents & Cacti collection on Houseplants Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.
Quick Answer
How often do I water?
Only 3-4 times per year! When leaves wrinkle, never during splitting.
Overview
Care guide for Lithops (Living Stones). Fascinating succulent that mimics rocks.
Key Details
- Light: Full sun, 5-6 hours minimum
- Water: Extremely sparingly — a few times per year
- Soil: Mostly mineral — 80% grit, 20% soil
- Temperature: 50-80°F, keep dry in winter
Common Causes
- Evolved to look like rocks for camouflage
- Two fused leaves with translucent windows
- Flowers emerge from the split between leaves
- One of the most unique succulents
Steps
- 1Provide maximum direct sunlight
- 2Water ONLY when leaves start to wrinkle
- 3NEVER water during split/regeneration period
- 4Use mostly mineral substrate — pumice, perlite, sand