Lithops is the name of the genus of these little ones succulents unusual, colorful and patterned. Also known as live stones or stone plantsthey look like the rocks that cover their native habitats in Africa.
The seedlings are interesting to grow, thanks to their unique appearance, and low maintenance – but with some specific environmental needs.
Extremely slow growing, if you’re interested in adding them to your garden, for an original and colorful touch, plant in spring or autumn – as the type goes dormant and doesn’t actively develop during the summer and winter.
They have a pair of thick leaves with little or no stems above the ground. Below, however, it has a reasonably long stem and roots. In spring, a new set of leaves is born, while the old ones wither and fall off. All species in the genus have daisy-like flowers and appear in autumn or winter.
Here is some information about succulent cultivation:
The main precautions
One of the most important demands of living stones is the amount of light, give them as much as possible. If you choose to plant them indoors but don’t have a bright window, invest in supplemental artificial light.
A proper watering also enters the priority list. Because they are highly drought tolerant, too much water can easily kill them – as this can promote rot or mold growth. The good news is that species they are not subject to many diseases and pests.
Amazed, but leaving the seedlings aside is the key for them to prosper. For about half of the year, you probably won’t do anything for them, just monitor them and make sure they’re healthy.
Light
These succulents need at least six hours of sunlight most days. Indoors, place them near a bright window. Insufficient lighting can cause elongated leaves and poor leaf coloration.
Ground
Sandy soil with good drainage is preferred – a potting mix specially formulated for cacti is ideal.
Water
Follow a seasonal schedule that mimics the amount of rainfall they would get in their natural habitat. Dismiss watering when the plant is dormant, in winter and summer, but come back in autumn – just before it starts to flower.
See too
If the leaves begin to wither completely during the hibernation period, put a small amount of water to plump them up again. As soon as the new leaves start to form in the spring, water it when the soil dries out, just to make it slightly damp.
temperature and humidity
Although Lithops’ strength is heat tolerance, they can survive low temperatures of up to 10°C. In addition to getting along with normal environments, between 18 and 26ºC. Moisture is also not an issue, as long as the soil does not remain wet for long periods and there is good air flow around the plants. succulents.
Fertilizer
This item is usually not needed, as these are plants that naturally live in poor soil and don’t require much feeding.
replanting
If growing up to 1 inch above the ground, provide a pot about 7 to 12 cm deep so that its long roots can extend into the soil. the container it should have ample drainage holes and preferably be made of unglazed clay – allowing excess water to evaporate.
Because they evolve very slowly, you don’t have to worry about replant its living stones for many years. But if you have a tight pot with several, carefully dig up the ones you want to put elsewhere and be careful to keep the roots intact.
Then put them in the new pot, which is a little deeper than the length of the roots, with the cactus mix.
Meet some species:
lithops julii
Lithops gracilidelineata
lithops lesliei
Lithops marmorata
*Via The Spruce