Lithops

Lithops

Popularly called “Living Stones”, Lithops are some of the world’s most fascinating plants! Since their discovery by John Burchell in 1811 when “on picking up from the stony ground what was supposed a curiously shaped pebble, it proved to be a plant”, Lithops have been avidly sought by the collector of succulent plants. Resembling the pebbles and stones among which they grow in their African habitat, they have become favorites of the collector of strange and unusual plants. Their subtle colors of gray, brown, rust, green and pink, combined with their fantastically intricate markings, make them most desirable additions to any plant collection.

Being small plants, a representative collection can be grown on a patio table, a sunny windowsill, a shelf in the greenhouse, or under lights, as many apartment dwellers are now doing.

After flowering in the fall and extending through winter, when the new ‘bodies’ are forming within the old leaves, the latter become soft and flaccid and begin to shrivel. Some may split on the sides from the pressure of the new body inside, and often there will be dry or ‘dead’ spots on the old leaves at this stage. This is perfectly normal. Eventually the old leaves dry up, leaving the plant with a perfect set of new ones.

CARE: LITHOPS should be allowed to go drier in the winter when the new growth is drawing moisture from the old leaves. At this time,  water very lightly, just enough to keep the root hairs alive. Some people say it is easiest to judge watering amounts when you water as though you are trying to get the dust off the leaves. As the old leaves dry up in the spring, give them more water until the long, hot summer days bring the growing period to a standstill. At this time water lightly as stated above, act like you are getting the dust off the leaves. REMEMBER, you never want the soil to become bone dry. (The root hairs will all die back and when you resume watering there will be no root hairs to begin using the moisture. ) As flower buds appear in late summer and fall, another watering period begins. Tapering off during winter after flowering has ended. Those growing plants under lights will probably need to water a bit more during the winter when the plants show signs of shriveling. No one can tell you exactly how much water your plants need, you must watch them and learn their growing cycle. 

We pot our lithops in our standard succulent medium. It’s approximately 50% pumice (perlite works just as well for the plant, though it tends to float.) Two crucial factors in lithops cultivation are fast-draining soil and good air movement. 
Nomenclature of Lithops in this catalog is based (mostly) on the book ‘Lithops-Flowering Stones’ by D. T. Cole.

Names listed between brackets are Lithops which have had varietal status in the past due to peculiar markings or coloration but have since been reduced to synonomy. However, these special features do exist and are sought after by Lithops collectors.  We select these plants for the desired coloration and markings;  e.g. the very dark open-windowed [Maraisii], form of Lithops lesliei v. venteri.  

Raised from seeds, most of our Lithops are 3-4 years old and are flowering size. When you buy individual Lithops or a collection, you will receive one or two-headed plants. Larger clumps are available occasionally.

In the publication New Growing the Mesembs by Ed Storms there are twelve pages of full color photos of individual Lithops species. These photos are an excellent reference when deciding which Lithops species to try. (Go to Books for ordering information.)