{"id":324,"date":"2024-01-29T05:49:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T05:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentialhouseplants.com\/?p=324"},"modified":"2024-03-14T03:47:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T03:47:31","slug":"living-stone-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentialhouseplants.com\/living-stone-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Grow Living Stone Plants – Lithops Succulent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living stones (Lithops<\/em>) are tiny yet attention-grabbing succulents that look like rocks, and their maintenance needs are only slightly more burdensome than those of the classic Pet Rock. That means Lithops are a perfect resilient plant for forgetful plant owners, no 32-page care manual is required! <\/p>

If you\u2019re looking for an adorable houseplant that thrives on neglect, look no further than Living Stones. <\/p>

Quick Guide to Lithops<\/h2>
<\/i> Sun requirements <\/strong><\/td>Prefer full sun, will tolerate some shade<\/td><\/tr>
<\/i> Hardiness\/Zone<\/strong><\/td>Hardy in zones 10-11<\/td><\/tr>
<\/i> Water needs<\/strong><\/td>Extremely minimal, no water at all in the winter<\/td><\/tr>
<\/i> Toxicity<\/strong><\/td>Non-toxic<\/td><\/tr>
<\/i> Primary growth season<\/strong><\/td>Growth in summer, dormant from fall to spring<\/td><\/tr>
<\/i> Typical size at maturity<\/strong><\/td>Only 1 inch tall and 1-3 inches wide (two leaves with essentially no stem)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Shop For Lithops Now<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Living Stones\u2019 Physical Appearance<\/h2>
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There are 37+ species and 145+ varieties<\/a> of living stones, which come in a variety of colors and patterns, but all have virtually the same growth patterns and care needs. The color range includes red green purple, grey, pink, and other shades, either uniformly or with mottled, veined, dotted, or other markings. <\/p>

These plants are all structurally similar. They grow two leaves joined at a groove, so that from above they resemble the imprint in the soil from the footstep of a cloven-hoofed animal. They are virtually stemless, the two leaves growing flush with the ground and never getting any taller. <\/p>

In drought, the visible leaves of living stones may die off, leaving only the roots below the soil, which will stay dormant until the next rainfall. The leaves also die back in the fall, when the plant is about to produce its new leaves.<\/p>

Many living stones flower<\/a> in the late fall or early winter, with a single blossom emerging from the crevice between the two leaves. Some are even scented.\u00a0<\/p>

Note: <\/strong>After flowering the plant produces a pair of new leaves from the groove between the leaves. The older leaves will dry up and die. At that point, the plant begins its winter dormancy.<\/p>

Growing Requirements for Lithops<\/em><\/h2>

Outdoor Placement<\/h3>
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Living stones originate in arid regions in southern Africa. This means they are accustomed to extremes. They prefer high heat, lots of sun, and almost no water. <\/strong>Because they are so small and, therefore have fairly shallow roots, and they are accustomed to deserts with rocky and sandy soil, they are a perfect choice for rock gardens or other areas with \u201cpoor\u201d soil. <\/p>

Because they are so drought-tolerant and typically require no water at all during their winter dormancy, they may not survive in a climate that gets much rainfall during the winter, especially if they are planted in soil rich in organic matter, which retains water.<\/p>

Note: <\/strong>Unless you live in a place with rather dry winters, planting your living stones in a pot that can be moved to a dry spot for winter may be a better option than planting them in the ground.<\/p>

Indoor Placement<\/h3>
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While they do great in the desert or greenhouse temperatures, lithops can be grown inside your home if you keep the temperature in the mid-sixties or higher<\/strong>. You\u2019ll want to place your lithops<\/em> in your sunniest windowsill, ensuring they get at least five hours of sunlight each day. <\/p>

Pet Access<\/h3>

Lithops are nontoxic <\/strong>and safe to grow in households with small children and pets. For more suggestions for safe houseplants, check out our round-up of pet-safe succulents<\/a>. <\/p>

Living Stone Plants Container and Soil<\/h3>
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Although most of the plant is underground, Lithops<\/em> are such small plants that they have fairly shallow roots, so potting them in a shallow planter is important. Just a few inches of potting mix is plenty. This is especially important for Lithops<\/em>, even more than most succulents, because they are so drought-adapted. <\/p>

Note: <\/strong>A pot that is too large and contains too much potting mix will take too long to dry out, which can cause your Lithops<\/em> to rot. <\/p>

If you have a typically-proportioned pot you want to use, you can try using our \u201cpot in a pot\u201d method. To do so, you would need to find a shallow plastic pot with nearly the same diameter as the decorative pot you want to use. Plant your living stones in the plastic pot, and then nest it inside the decorative pot. <\/p>

You can put rocks inside the decorative pot to rest the plastic pot on. However, if your decorative pot doesn\u2019t have a drainage hole, remove the plastic pot before watering and let it drain before returning it to the decorative pot. This way, the water doesn\u2019t accumulate in the bottom of the decorative pot. <\/p>

Note: <\/strong>The excess humidity from the water sitting in the bottom of the pot, slowly evaporating, can kill your living stones.<\/p>

Commercially available cactus\/succulent-specific potting mixes will work okay for Lithops<\/em>, but making your own potting mix is much better for your plant as well as cheaper. <\/p>

We recommend a different ratio of ingredients for living stones than most succulents (with less organic matter) because they thrive in poor, rocky soil. You don\u2019t have to be strict about the ratios, but for Lithops<\/em> we recommend:<\/p>