Lithopsspp.

Have you ever jest about wanting a preferred rock and roll ? How about aliving stone , alternatively ? And yes , I ’m speak about farm lithops succulent plants !

Masters of mimicry , living Harlan Fiske Stone are fascinating succulents , but these quirky little flora also have quirky little care routines .

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A close up horizontal image of lithops aka living stone plants growing outdoors on a rocky outcrop.

Lithops blend in with surrounding stones.

You will for sure want to learn what is call for of you before you acquire one of these – or as presently as possible after bringing a lithops home !

Ready to determine out how to produce and give care for living Stone ? Here ’s what we ’ll insure :

What You’ll Learn

What Are Lithops?

If you were to ask a minor to make a drawing of a plant , you ’d probably get an icon of a theme with big green leaves .

The subject of our clause could n’t be further by from this verdant visual sensation of planthood – and most living stones are not even green !

There ’s a reason for that .

A close up vertical image of living stone plants with yellow and white blooms growing in a container. To the top and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Lithops blend in with surrounding stones.

These succulent works camouflage themselves as stones , appearing in very muted colour to avail them blend into their environ natural home ground of rocky , gravelly terrain .

Referred to as “ mimicry plants , ” lithops have develop this growth habit to hide from hungry animals track down for leafy green solid food .

This low - profile increment habit also allow lithops to protect themselves from their harsh climates , as the volume of the industrial plant is place underground .

A horizontal image of lithops plants growing among natural stones outdoors.

Lithops Anatomy and Markings

flowering stone are unusual plants and describing them ask specialized term .

To well understand them and to appreciate the coming into court of the unlike live on Isidor Feinstein Stone specie and cultivar , it ’s worth taking the clock time to memorise what these full term have in mind !

Bodies or Heads

The “ dead body ” is the sarcoid part of the lithops plant , not include its roots . Part of the eubstance grows underground , while the rest is visible aboveground .

The body of these plants – made up of two consolidated leaves – are about two inches tall , more or less , and are shaped like center , three-fold wedge , or turn back cones , with the pointy , down remainder giving way to diminished root .

Depending on the lithops species , only the top half - inch or so of the body may go forth from the ground , while some are rather elongated , with more of the plant above the soil parentage .

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the left of the frame holding up an unpotted lithops plant to show the structure of this unique succulent.

The bodies of these succulent graze in width from about half an in to an column inch and a one-half all-inclusive , depending on the species .

The term “ head ” is another terminal figure for body , but usually refers to the part of the works that is above solid ground .

Some living stone mintage produce just one head per plant during their integral lives , while others may produce clumps made up of dozens of heads .

A top down image of a large number of living stones growing in rocky soil outdoors.

Lobes and Faces

Lithops bodies are made up of two slurred , fleshy , fused leaves , called “ lobes ” – two lobe make a head .

The lobe of some species are adequate in sizing , while others are slightly ( or quite ) asymmetrical .

Additionally , there is magnetic declination as to the depth of the cranny between the two lobe – with some having a shallow crack and others a deep one .

A horizontal image of living stones aka lithops succulents growing outdoors, with white and yellow flowers.

Likewise , some lobe uprise tight together ( these are describe as “ wealthy facial expression ” ) , while others are diverging , with a wide gap between the two lobe .

The tops of the survive stone lobes , when view from the side , can be either more or less flat , or round out .

mark that this appearance can change when the plant is well - water , in which case the lobes may become more convex , or when the plant is thirsty , when the tops of the lobes may become slightly concave .

A close up horizontal image of the side view of a lithops succulent, demonstrating how light enters the “windows” of the plant.

Looking down on them from above , lithops headway are more or less round or oval mold , and see from this angle , each folio is known as a “ face . ” Each head or body has two faces .

These face can have half - circuit , half - ellipse , kidney , or even slightly orthogonal shapes .

Some faces have smooth surfaces , others are rough and can be textured with furrow , swelling , warts , line , or endocarp !

A horizontal image of a green lithops succulent with reddish pattern on the face, growing in a ceramic pot set on a wooden surface.

Fissures and Molting

Both bloom and new foliage issue from the scratch ( usually referred to as the “ fissure ” ) between the two fused leaves , each at different time of year in the year – most lithops species produce flush in fall and new leaves in springtime .

When raw leave-taking emerge , the body give way through a cognitive process called “ moult ” ( similar to that of animals ) , in which the one-time leaves dry out out and are throw away to make direction for a new set of leaves – or sometimes a double set of leaves .

This answer in some live stone species eventually stimulate many heads on one plant .

A close up horizontal image of a lithops plant seen from above, showing the patterned “face."

Flowers

As for lithops blooms , only one prime is produced per promontory , and this is held facing the sky on a very short stalk .

efflorescence are daisy - like , and usually sensationalistic or white – or yellowandwhite . In some species , flower can be shades of bronze or garden pink .

These emerge in fall in most species , and in bright sun , usually at noon .

A close up horizontal image of the unique patterns on a dark reddish-brown living stone plant.

Windows

To make up for keeping their leaves mostly underground , the top part of each lobe has what is recognise as a “ window ” – a semitransparent section of the fount .

Windows are also sometimes called “ seas ” or “ lakes . ” These window allow light into the plant , where photosynthesis take place .

If you were to cut a lithops in cross section from top to bottom , you ’d find translucent tissue inside the leaves below the windows , as well as greenish tissue lining the inside of the body .

A close up horizontal image of a lithops succulent seen from the side, growing in a pot.

This windowpane is more visible in some mintage than in others . Some are unobstructed and unsubtle , taking up most of the face – plants like these are sometimes referred to as having “ opened ” windows .

On the other extreme , some flowering stone have windows that are all opaque looking , often referred to as being “ absent . ”

Most lithops , however , have marking on them that obscure the windows at least pretty .

A close up horizontal image of the decorative faces of living stone plants.

Sometimes small round dots of window are present among the unintelligible markings , and these are phone “ miniature windows . ”

There are special terms used to distinguish these markings .

While you don’thaveto have sex these terms to enjoy your plants , understanding what these words mention to can help you apprise what makes unlike species , subspecies , and diversity typical !

A horizontal image of a selection of lithops succulents growing in small pots.

Ready to learn more about these markings ?

Islands and Peninsulas

Many living Stone have “ islands ” on their side . reckon that the window is a soundbox of water – the islands are opaque markings that seem to be adrift in this body of water system .

island can be large or small , few or numerous , and their edge can be more or less rounded , or quite notched .

As they do in actual bodies of pee , “ peninsula ” on live stone jut out from the edges of the face into the windowpane .

A close up of the packaging of Tank’s Pro Potting Mix isolated on a white background.

Margins and Shoulders

margin are bands of color around the window , or , in the absence of windows , along the edges of the face .

survive Harlan Stone plants sometimes have both internal and outer margins but not all species have discernible gross profit .

Sometimes be stone gross profit are the same color as the body , sometimes they are dissimilar colors .

A horizontal image of a bowl with some sand on the bottom set next to a packet of lithops seeds on a dark surface.

The terminus “ shoulder ” is used to line the edge of the stone life face face , beyond the outer gross profit . The shoulder are sometimes yet another colour .

Channels

Some window have so many opaque scoring obscuring them that the window parts that are still unmistakable get a name change and are referred to as “ channels . ”

channel can be narrow-minded or wide , are sometimes furrowed into the case ’s open , and are sometimes line with additional markings .

Dusky Dots

Some coinage have what are call “ dusky DoT ” dress their surfaces .

These can be indented , flush with the surface , slenderly elevate , or very much in relief , in which eccentric they may be referred to as “ wart ” or “ zit ” depend on how enceinte they are .

Dusky dots can be colored grey , dark green , or brown .

A horizontal image of pots with rocky potting medium and one of them with cling wrap over the top to promote humidity.

While there are sometimes small , window pane mold windows on the face , those are translucent while swarthy dots are unintelligible .

Rubrications

Many species of lithops have dingy blood-red patterns on their cheek , cry “ rubrications . ”

Rubrications can be in the form of lines , dots , checks , or star topology , and they often describe channels , creating either a connected connection of shape , or a busted connection .

mark that not all of these features are found on each works . The combination of these marking along with their anatomical characteristic is what allow these miniature marvels to be distinguished from one another !

A close up horizontal image of pots with cling wrap covers set on a windowsill.

Cultivation and History

Lithops hail from southerly Africa , with population aboriginal to Botswana , Namibia , and South Africa .

In the wild , they uprise in habitat composed of bare rocky ground , dry grassland , and scrubland . The soils in their aboriginal environments be given to be jolty and sandy .

These succulents have adapted to condition with small rainwater . Their aboriginal region receive an average of 20 inches of rain per twelvemonth or less .

A close up horizontal image of small lithops seedlings growing in dark, rich soil.

Populations of stone plant in some placement get less than four inch of rain a yr , and some are watered primarily by fog and mist .

However , most specie arise in climate that are red-hot in the summer , with autumn pelting , and coolheaded or cold winters .

Lithops are members of the ice plant family , or Aizoaceae – also known as the “ common fig tree marigold ” family .

A close up vertical image of living stones growing in a small ceramic pot indoors, pictured from above.

phallus of this family includeice plant ( Delosperma lehmannii ) , New Zealand spinach plant ( Tetragonia tetragonioides),andbaby toes(Fenestrariaspp . ) .

Relatives from this fellowship include additional mimicry plant which may be attractive to succulent collectors – such asConophytum , Dinteranthus , andPleiospilosspecies . The members of thePleiospilosgenus are known as “ disunited rock plants . ”

The genus nameLithopscomes from the Greek and means “ stone face ” or “ resemble Harlan F. Stone . ” These succulents are also sleep with as “ pebble plants ” or “ living stones . ” For reasons that should need no explanation , some also call them “ buns plant . ”

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The subject of our article , as well as some other member of this house are often name “ mesembs , ” which is short for Mesembryanthemaceae , a synonym for Aizoaceae .

Mesemb is commonly used as a synonym for the expression “ mimicry works ” – both of these term are used for other phallus of the Ficus carica marigold family as well as stoneface .

Speaking of plant families , lithops were first class taxonomically in 1922 , making them comparatively late arrivals to the houseplant scene .

A close up vertical image of an open palm holding two living stone plants that have been divided ready for transplant.

There are around 37 mintage in theLithopsgenus , as well as many subspecies , naturally occurring change , and cultivar .

Currently lithops populations are under increasing threat in the wild due tohabitat expiration and poaching .

While plant assembling is a fun hobbyhorse , be certain to limit your purchases to specimens that are nursery grown rather than incur through poaching wild specimens .

A vertical image of two living stone plants growing in a decorative pot set on a wooden surface by a window.

Interestingly , these petite succulents can live to be quite sure-enough in cultivation – up to 50 years – joining the social rank of other long - exist houseplants such asChristmas cactiandhoyas .

While succulent enthusiasts can grow these plants indoors , lithops can also be produce outside twelvemonth round out inUSDA Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , provided you’re able to protect these drought tolerant plant life from receive too much H2O .

Lithops Propagation

There are two ways to spread lithops – from seed and by dividing plants , both of which are easy methods . Let ’s front at each of these :

From Seed

Late spring , belated summer , and early fall are all sound time to pass around live stone from seminal fluid .

Here ’s what you ’ll demand for this project : stone-face seeds , ok grit , modest river rocks or coarse silicon oxide sand , three- or four - in nursery pots or a extension tray , a spray feeding bottle filled with water supply , a humidity covered stadium , and grow medium designed for cactus and succulents .

While adult lithops can be grown in a gritty , mostly mineral found intermixture , seedlings need a medium with a bit more moisture retention .

A close up horizontal image of lithops succulents in bloom, displaying white flowers with yellow centers.

An idealistic premix for this purpose is to unite one part coarse silica sand with two parts cactus and succulent potting medium , Tank’s - Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix , available in a 1.5 cubic foot bagvia Arbico Organics .

Tank ’s Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix

First , fill nursery lot with growing medium , leaving an inch and a one-half of blank between the top of the growing mass medium and the lip of the stool .

A close up horizontal image of a small lithops aka living stone plant growing in a decorative container indoors, with light shining from above.

Once you have fill the baby’s room pots or tray with the growing sensitive , go in front and irrigate it down .

Next , on top of the growing intermediate berth a half - column inch layer of small-scale river rocks or rough-cut silicon dioxide sand , such as this coarse silica sand available from Miukada in 3.3 Irish pound bagsvia Amazon .

Now mix the very tiny lithops seeds with about a tablespoonful of fine Baroness Dudevant – you may sow in 10 to 30 seeds per pot .

A close up horizontal image of lithops plants growing in a small clay pot in a dark area indoors, set on a wooden surface.

Sprinkle this sand and seed intermixture onto the layer of minor river rocks , then moisten the fine bed of sand with a few gentle mists from a spraying bottle .

Finally , cover the pots or tray with a humidity dome . you could use see-through plastic base for this , or you could brood the jackpot with plastic wrap . stop up the plastic wrapper or bags with rubber bands .

If you are using plastic wrapper or plastic bags , thump a few hollow in them with a toothpick to ply some ventilation .

A close up horizontal image of lithops plants aka living stones growing in a gravely rock garden.

mold plastic humidness domes usually descend with vents – you just take to open them slightly .

Locate the Mary Jane at elbow room temperature in collateral , smart luminousness to germinate . Although they ’ll be able to pull through in full sunlight once they are found , immature seedling will be scalded by direct sunlight .

Keep an eye on the humidity dome , plastic bag , or plastic wrap covering your pots . When contraction disappears from this covering , it ’s clock time to water again .

A close up of a bottle of Dr. Earth Succulence Pump and Grow isolated on a white background.

Remove the covering and lightly spray the grow spiritualist with a water nursing bottle to keep the humidness high , then exchange the covering .

Expect sprouting to get down in five to ten daylight , though some seeded player will be much obtuse to germinate – some can take up to a year , so verify you sow in more than you need .

Two calendar week after germination , gradually transition the seedlings to ambient stipulation by removing the humidness dome for an 60 minutes the first mean solar day , increase the amount of time bring out to drier gentle wind each 24-hour interval .

A close up horizontal image of the capsule of a lithops pictured on a blue background.

irrigate the uncovered vernal seedling day by day by spray their growing mass medium with a spray bottle .

Two to three month after the seedling have germinated , increasingly increase the time between waterings , allowing the growing medium to dry out for a few days .

Wait 18 to 24 calendar month before transplanting seedlings to different peck .

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instruct more about maturate succulent from seed .

From Division or Transplants

While many succulent collectors valuate multi - headed lithops specimens , some houseplant parents may wish to experiment with separate these plant .

Living stones that have more than one oral sex can be propagated in this means .

call up , each head is made up of two leaves . Some species can form multi - headed plants , but not all .

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So , just to be clear – do n’t break open a single head apart , instead , expect until a industrial plant has at leasttwoheads – or in other words , at leasttwosets of fused leave .

The best time to divide is after the flora has finished molting in spring .

Here ’s what you ’ll require : small gage , coarse silicon oxide sand , a butter knife , a sharp yoke of sterilized scissor hold orgarden pruners , and lithops growing average .

You ’ll ascertain more about creating a suitable grow metier for know stones later in the clause , so keep reading to ascertain more !

When you ’re ready to divide , first prepare small pots for transplanting , such as these two - and - a - half - column inch ceramic pots with bamboo saucers , available via Amazon .

Pack of 6 Glazed Ceramic 2.5 ” x 2.15 ” Succulent Pots

Fill the batch with growing medium , exit an inch of space at the top .

Remove the stone-face from its pot , then softly remove the growing sensitive from the plant ’s tooth root .

Now , gently separate the heads from each other at the beginning , you may need to cut them aside with sterilized scissors or snips .

Remove any teetotal leaves or dead flush stem from the body , then allow the heads to dry for an 60 minutes before continuing .

utilize the butter knife to make a hole in the arise medium , and insert one of the heads into the muddle , root side down .

Wondering how inscrutable to plant the lithops in the soil ?

The soil level should reach just about to the leaf fissure . Depending on the species or cultivar , the plant will be mostly buried with only the top column inch or one-half in above the dirt line .

This will vary reckon on the species , so it ’s upright to know which type you have !

stop up by add a half - inch layer of coarse silica sand or fine river rock to the surface of the growing medium as amulch . This will help keep the upper portion of the industrial plant body wry .

Repeat the unconscious process with any additional head teacher , or but return the parent plant life to its pot , fill in with extra farm culture medium if needed .

For stone plant that have been part , give them two weeks after division until allow for them with water .

After two weeks have passed , water them every 10 day for the next two to three months , at which point they should be well - root in their new pots .

How to Grow Lithops

Lithops do n’t involve frequent precaution , but their care does involve more genial effort and planning than the average houseplant .

In this section you ’ll get general stone plant care that will work for the absolute majority of the species – there are some exception , however , so be sure to train specific directions for your chosen coinage .

Sun

Lithops can be develop in direct sun , or a mixture of lineal sunlight and vivid , indirect light .

Aim for at least four to five hours of unmediated sun per daytime . This preference makes life I. F. Stone great prospect for life on a Confederate States - facing windowsill since they also do n’t take care cooling off a little at Nox .

However when move specimens grown in partly shaded conditions to greater direct sun photograph , do so gradually , otherwise they can be damaged by sun scald .

Also , if your menage gets specially hot during summer due to deficiency of airwave conditioning , decrease the plant ’s exposure to unmediated Lord’s Day .

you could do this by equip the windowpane with a sheer blank drapery which you close for part of the daytime or moving the works farther from the windowpane .

Climate

As for mood , lithops suffer a wide range of temperature , from high of 107 ° F down to sub - freezing temporary worker of 23 ° fluorine , but vulnerability to these extremes should be limited .

They will also be well-chosen in low humidity with good air circulation .

Water

The amount of water living rock will need reckon on how much direct sun they are receiving , how hot the indoor surround is , how moisture retentive their growing medium is – and the specie !

The most important thing to be intimate is that you should slip on the side ofunderwateringrather thanoverwatering .

In cosmopolitan , if your plant starts to shrink a bit and feel gentle , it might be meter to water .

However , before you plunk up yourhouseplant watering can , there ’s also a seasonal lachrymation schedule you ’ll take to know about first .

Late summer to fall is when the bulk of living stone postulate the most urine , before they begin to bloom and while flower .

Starting in late summer , water once every two to four weeks , allowing the grow medium to dry out between lachrymation .

Note that young specimen may not bloom , but still want to be watered during this period .

Whether it flowered or not , in wintertime most stone-face species go through a dormant geological period and it ’s important to withhold water during this season . Or at the most , if the plant is shrink , offer a very light lachrymation of a few drops or a light misting of the growing medium .

In late wintertime or other spring a experience stone will start to moulting , shedding its old skin to produce a new duet of leave , or two new pairs of leafage .

It ’s important not to water at this time . The new growth will take the wet it needs from the one-time growth , leaving the previous leaves to flex into a thin , desiccated skin .

This process is necessary for the new growth to emerge properly – if you irrigate , you ’ll prevent the erstwhile growth from drying out .

Once the living stone ’s old leaves have completely dry out up , begin to water supply again , approximately every two weeks , permit the maturate medium to dry between waterings .

When shape start to get hot in summer , the plant will experience another dormancy period , and watering should be withheld or at least , decreased . urine only if the plant is shriveling , and if it ’s very hot , tighten direct sun exposure somewhat as well .

Begin water again in late summer – and continue the lithops ’ yearly cycle .

If you ’re having a intemperate time keeping track of the watering agenda for this flora , consider keeping annotation in the calendar section of agardening journal .

How do you know if you ’re water a stone plant too much ?

Overwatered life stones can develop diseases and sometimes even burst – but the first mansion you ’ll point out is extension .

However , mark that some mintage are naturally elongated , so it pay to know the distinctive equipment characteristic of the species of stone-face you ’re growing so that you may aright tell apart when something proceed haywire !

Once a plant has been affected by overwatering , there is little that can be done to come back the plant to its former glory , making proper lachrymation your first step in keeping these succulent healthy .

Soil

Of of course , these succulents are also less probable to hurt the personal effects of too much water if they are cultivated in the good character of growing sensitive .

Since lithops ’ native habitat consist of rocky , gritty , arenaceous territory , you ’ll want to sample to mimic those condition when choosing a grow medium .

invalidate growing medium that containnon - renewable peat , which is not an appropriate ingredient for these succulent anyway .

To get a line more about whatprofessionallithops growers use in the way of grow mediums , I reached out to Jane Evans , co - owner of Living Stones Nursery in Tucson Arizona , a line of work which only trade to local customers .

Evans told me that their stoneface potting admixture is essentially 50 percent cactus mixture and 50 pct pumice .

Pumice is a great horticultural element to have on mitt when your beloved for houseplants is turn into – well , let ’s call it ahobby .

you may purchase an eight - quart base of horticultural pumice stone from Tank ’s Green Stuffvia Amazon .

So keep this 50:50 ratio in mind when creating your ownsucculent pot soilfor transplant , dividing , or repot your living stones . A ready - to - use , commercial-grade cactus and succulent soil in itself isnot quiteright for stone life face . Additional grit is required .

Growing Tips

Maintenance

As we ’ve already discussed , the best agency to care for your live stone is to know what to carry from it throughout the seasons so that you may cater water at the appropriate time .

Here are a few other response to maintenance questions you ’re bound to question about !

Mulch

A mulch of crushed rock or coarse moxie is typically added to the top of the produce sensitive . This keeps the survive stone ’s fountainhead dry and also helps to keep the plant erect .

If your lithops arise hobby is turning into a love , you might desire to choose gravel composed of the same types of rocks from your species ’ aboriginal habitat to leave it with five - star concern .

You might even go so far as to choose gravel that matches the vividness of their plant , to show off its artistry as a mimic !

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is not necessary with these succulent , which acquire to flourish in poor grime . Some professional grower fertilize oft , however , and others do so very seldom or not at all .

One option for home agriculturalist of living rock is to offer a aristocratic fertilizer when repotting , such as Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Organic Pump and farm Cactus and Succulent Plant Food .

Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Pump & Grow

It ’s available in a 16 - ounce heart bottlevia Arbico Organics .

Repotting

You wo n’t have to repot your live stone very often – on mean , only about once every two years if it needs spare way because it ’s create multiple heads .

When choose a spate , shallow mass are preferred , but they ’ll take to be at least two inches tall to accommodate the big part of the plant that grows underground . Those that are two to three and a one-half inches tall are idealistic .

you could repot lithops into modest , individual pot , or include them in a wide , shallow succulent smasher , either with other stoneface or with someeasy - care succulent buddies – just ensure to choose succulents with similar body of water and humidity need .

If your life rock still has plenty of room in its container , sufficient drain , and the container is to your liking , the plant will be well-chosen to stay there permanently .

However , older specimens with multiple head should be repot as their green goddess become crowded .

Encouraging Flowering

If you ’ve propagated a specimen from seed , do n’t expect flowering until the plant is two or three years erstwhile .

To boost flowering , ensure the works receive adequate sun .

Flowering is sometimes better on specimens grown in small , individual pots rather than panoptic dishes – though not all cultivator find this to be dependable .

Saving Seeds

If you ’re hope to produce living stone seeds for propagation , know that you ’ll need at least two specimens since they need to cross pollinate .

To spare seed , after florescence check that tobottom weewee . This is because water droplets hitting the top of the works will get the seed pods to open , release seed .

Allow pod to full mature and dry out before harvesting them , then store seeds for at least one yr before implant . Seeds will remain workable for many eld .

Lithops Species and Varieties to Select

There are many species , subspecies , course take place varieties , and cultivar of stone-face available to succulent collectorswithoutbothering with the loathsome practice of poach wild specimen . Here are a few of interest :

Karasmontana

L. karasmontanais a species that was bestowed with the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002 .

With a lot of variability , the species can come along in shades of brick red , beige , yellow , brown , pink , grey white , or grayish green .

This specie usually produces two to six heads , but can sometimes be found in ripe clumps of 12 or more .

Their faces have a   jolty texture . Kids ( and the new at heart ) may get a kick out of these because some specimen can search rather like brains !

‘ Top Red ’ is a cultivar ofL. karasmontanathat has a ecru to gray body , and broad , furrowed , brick red channels .

Lithops Karasmontana‘Top Red ’ germ

require to try growing your own from germ ? you may buy 50L. karasmontana‘Top Red ’ seeds from Dichondravia Amazon .

Otzeniana

L. otzenianais a species that is usually found in an olive green semblance , but can also look in softened shades of pink , cream , or blue .

This be stone has a deep chap between its two leave-taking , and lobes that are slightly diverging .

With distinct margins around its translucent window , L. otzenianahas large rounded peninsula and islands frame its window .

L. otzenianabears yellow flowers with white centers .

Lithops OtzenianaSeeds

If you ’re quick to propagate your own , you ’ll retrieve pack of 15L. otzenianaliving Edward Durell Stone seeds for purchasevia Amazon .

Rubra

A cultivar ofL. optica , ‘ Rubra ’ is milklike pink to reddish purpleness in color , with translucent windows and smooth faces .

There ’s a very cryptic fissure between the two leaves , which gives this flora a different profile than many other stone life face species .

This living rock ’s beautiful brass are smooth with broad , dark royal or scarlet windows , and distinct margin . They ordinarily lack islands .

The heyday ofL. optica‘Rubra ’ are white , and often have pink tips .

Lithops Optica‘Rubra ’

Got your eye on these live stones ? you could keep them well within view – buy a three pack of one- to two - year - oldL. optica‘Rubra ’ stone life face via the Micro Landscape Design Storevia Amazon .

require More selection ?

There are many more type of living stones available to cultivate at plate or to admire from afar . Discover more inour guide to 37 different types of lithops .

Managing Pests and Disease

When it comes to pest and diseases , await healthy lithops specimens to stay pest barren .

However , be on the lookout formealybugs , plate , thrips , aphids , andspider mites . Fungus gnatscan be a problem for young seedlings which are kept in more humid atmospheric condition .

Rot is the only real danger of disease for this succulent , and can be forbid with right watering , the correct ground , and excellent drainage .

Read our article about rotting in succulent to acquire more .

Best Uses for Lithops

As discuss above , lithops make great windowsill plants , and would be lovely as part of atiny plantcollection . You might also consider including them in asucculent poof garden !

They can also be incorporate into wide-eyed , shallowsucculent planterswith other specimens , as long as the other works have standardised water and soil requirements .

Outdoors stone life face can be grown in sway gardens with cacti and other succulents in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b , provided they are give the right soil and moisture term .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Lithops – Much More Fun Than a Pet Rock!

Living stones are unique and compact succulent that make first-class houseplants provided you have pot of sun and just the good amount ofrestraintwith the watering can .

And while for most of the year they may look like nothing more than preferred tilt , you ’ll know these living stones are quick to produce conjuring trick throughout the seasons – beautiful blossom , and sets of fresh novel parting .

need to keeplearning about cultivate cacti and succulent ? Have a read of these guide next :

picture by Kristina Hicks - Hamblin © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . mathematical product photo via Amazon , Arbico Organics , Dichondra , Dr. Earth , the Micro Landscape Design Store , and Tank ’s Green Stuff . Uncredited pic : Shutterstock .

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Kristina Hicks - Hamblin