PLANT CARE

 Lithop Care Sheet/Repotting Instructions

1.  Use Equal Parts Pumice/Perlite and Potting Soil, Removing Large Pieces from the Soil. Moisten the mixture, and be sure to use a pot that has hole(s) in the bottom to allow for drainage when watering. 

2. Fill the pot up slightly above a half inch from the top.

3. Use a pencil or other stick to create a hole large enough to put the roots down into the hole without bending and damaging them.

4. Ignore the normal process of regeneration of the leaves, which can appear to be damage, even in seedlings. This happens, even down to the root, annually.

5. When putting the plant into the new soil, be gentle and leave half of their body above the soil’s surface.

6. Get your plant used to its new spot by first putting it into a shady spot, and then gradually introducing it to the sun. It likes the light and will thrive with five hours a day of sunlight.

7. Depending on your plant’s location, it may need water no more than every 10 to 14 days. Overwatering will turn these plants to mush. Better to err on the side of underwatering.

8. Contact Us with Questions lovesuccsinflorida.com

AKA "Living Stones," or "Flowering Stones," they really do look like stones.  Many people who are passing our table at the market are asking us if these are real plants.  Under natural conditions, they have evolved to look like actual stones to help them blend in with the regular stones to avoid being eaten by grazing animals during drought seasons in southern Africa.

They are accustomed to extremely dry conditions.  Some people do not even water these in the winter at all, even though they are still growing during those dormant times.  We always advise you to err on the side of underwatering, because these plants will die from overwatering.  They hold water in their leaves, so you can tell when they do want water, because they shrivel a bit.  They are used to storing water for months without rain.    They are short in stature to allow for intense heat and light in their climate.  They each have their own little cycle of when they need water or light.  Pay attention to the plant itself.  

So very little watering and care is required for these plants.  They do like light, and we recommend at least a few hours in the morning of direct sunlight.  Southern facing windows are a recommendation.

If they do not get enough light, they become skinny and lean toward wherever they sense light as well as losing their color.  But just like anything else, too much sunlight is not a good thing, so be sure to introduce the plant slowly back into the light after prolonged periods away from it to avoid sunburn.