Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Toxic to pets
Living Stones
Lithops · Aizoaceae
Moderate
Pet-safe
Lithops are small, stemless succulents native to the arid regions of southern Africa, particularly Namibia and South Africa. Each plant body consists of a pair of fused, thickened leaves that closely resemble the pebbles and stones of their natural habitat, a form of camouflage that protects them from grazing animals. They produce a single daisy-like flower that emerges from the fissure between the two leaves, typically in autumn.
☀ Light
Bright direct sunlight, at least 4 to 5 hours daily
💧 Water
Very sparingly; follow the plant's natural growth cycle
🌡 Temp
10 to 30 degrees C; avoid frost
💦 Humidity
Low humidity preferred
🌿 Soil
Very free-draining, gritty cactus or mineral mix
🍽 Feeding
Rarely; once or twice a year at most
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Living Stones
Light
Lithops require a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. A south-facing windowsill is ideal in the UK, though supplementary grow lighting may be necessary during the darker winter months. Insufficient light causes the plant bodies to etiolate, becoming tall and pale rather than compact and firm. Outdoors in summer, a sheltered, sunny spot works well provided the plants are protected from heavy rain.
Watering
Watering Lithops correctly is the single most critical aspect of their care. They follow a strict annual cycle: water lightly in late summer and autumn to support flowering, then withhold water entirely from mid-autumn through late winter. In spring, as the old leaf pair is absorbed by the new growth emerging from the fissure, watering must be withheld until the old leaves are completely shrivelled and the new pair is fully formed. Resume cautious watering in summer only if the plant shows signs of extreme shrivelling. Overwatering at the wrong stage causes rot and splitting, which is the most common cause of death.
Soil and potting
A very free-draining, low-nutrient mineral mix is essential. A standard cactus compost should be mixed with at least 50 per cent additional grit, coarse sand, or perlite. Some growers use almost pure inorganic mineral substrate. Good drainage prevents the root zone from remaining wet, which Lithops cannot tolerate. Using a clay or terracotta pot further aids evaporation and discourages overwatering.
Feeding
Lithops have extremely low nutrient requirements and should be fed sparingly, if at all. If desired, a very dilute, low-nitrogen cactus fertiliser can be applied once or twice during the active growing period in late summer. High-nitrogen feeds encourage soft, vulnerable growth and should be avoided entirely. Many experienced growers do not feed Lithops at all, relying instead on occasional repotting into fresh substrate.
Humidity and temperature
Lithops prefer low humidity, consistent with their arid origins. A typical UK home is generally suitable, though they should be kept away from kitchens and bathrooms where humidity is elevated. They tolerate temperatures between approximately 10 and 30 degrees C and prefer warmth during the growing season. They are not frost-hardy and must be kept above 5 degrees C at all times; a cool, dry winter rest between around 10 and 15 degrees C is beneficial.
Repotting
Lithops grow very slowly and do not need frequent repotting. Every 3 to 5 years is usually sufficient, or when the plant has clearly outgrown its container. Repot in late summer at the start of the growing season. Handle roots carefully as they can be quite long relative to the plant body. Use a deep pot to accommodate the taproot, refresh the substrate entirely, and allow the plant to settle before resuming the normal watering cycle.
Pruning
Lithops require no pruning. The only intervention needed is to resist removing the old, shrivelling leaf pair before it has been fully reabsorbed, as the plant draws moisture and nutrients back from the old leaves to fuel new growth. Removing the old leaves prematurely stresses the plant. Dead flower stalks can be gently removed once they have dried.
Is Living Stones toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. Lithops are listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. They are not known to contain harmful compounds and are generally considered safe in a household with pets, though ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to their unusual plant chemistry.
People: Not known to be toxic to humans. No significant adverse effects recorded from contact or ingestion, though consuming houseplants is not advisable.
People: Not known to be toxic to humans. No significant adverse effects recorded from contact or ingestion, though consuming houseplants is not advisable.
Common problems
Soft, mushy or translucent plant body, often with a foul smell
Likely cause: Root or body rot caused by overwatering or watering at the wrong stage of the growth cycle Fix: Remove the plant from its pot immediately, cut away all rotten tissue with a clean blade, allow to dry out for several days, and repot in fresh dry substrate. Do not water for at least two weeks. Prevention is far more effective than cure.
Plant body splitting around the sides rather than from the central fissure
Likely cause: Watering during the leaf replacement phase in spring when old and new leaves are both present Fix: Withhold all water until the old leaf pair is completely dry and papery. Resume cautious watering only once new leaves are fully exposed and firm.
Tall, elongated or pale plant body
Likely cause: Insufficient light causing etiolation Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with direct sunlight. Introduce increased light gradually in spring to avoid scorch. Consider a grow light if window light is inadequate.
Severely wrinkled or shrunken plant body outside the normal rest period
Likely cause: Underwatering during the active season or extremely low atmospheric humidity Fix: Water cautiously, ensuring the growing medium drains fully. Check that watering has not been withheld too long into the active summer or autumn phase.
Visible small insects on or around the plant, or unexplained decline
Likely cause: Mealybugs or fungus gnats; root mealybugs are a particular risk in dry substrate Fix: For mealybugs, treat with a systemic insecticide or drench the soil with an appropriate solution. For fungus gnats, allow the soil to remain dry as their larvae depend on moisture.
Failure to flower in autumn despite otherwise healthy appearance
Likely cause: Insufficient light during the growing season, or the plant being too young (under two to three years old) Fix: Ensure the plant receives maximum available sunlight from late summer onwards. Young plants purchased as seedlings will not flower until they reach maturity.
How to propagate
Seed
Sow fresh seed on the surface of a damp, fine mineral substrate in a shallow tray, cover with a clear lid or film to retain humidity, and provide warmth of around 24 to 27 degrees C. Germination typically occurs within one to two weeks. Maintain gentle moisture until seedlings are established, then gradually transition to adult watering habits over several years.
Division
Mature clumps that have developed multiple heads can be carefully divided at repotting time. Separate individual plant bodies with their attached roots using a clean, sharp blade, allow the cut surfaces to callous for a day or two, and pot each section individually into dry substrate before introducing minimal water after a week.
Where Living Stones comes from
Native to southern Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe.
Story and origins
The name Lithops derives from the Ancient Greek words 'lithos', meaning stone, and 'ops', meaning face or appearance. The name was formalised by the British botanist N.E. Brown in 1922, and it accurately describes the most striking characteristic of the genus: its uncanny resemblance to the stones and pebbles among which the plants grow. The plural form is correctly Lithops, serving as both singular and plural in horticultural usage.
Lithops were first documented for European science in 1811 when the British botanist and explorer William John Burchell collected a specimen in the Northern Cape region of what is now South Africa, having initially mistaken it for a pebble. He described his discovery as a 'mimicry plant' and the specimen he collected, now attributed to Lithops turbiniformis, was the first of the genus to be formally studied. Over the following century, botanical expeditions across Namibia and South Africa revealed the extraordinary diversity of the genus, with over 30 recognised species now documented. Lithops became popular as curiosity houseplants in Europe and North America during the mid-twentieth century, prized both for their unusual appearance and the challenge they present to growers.
Varieties to know
Lithops aucampiae
One of the most widely cultivated species, bearing brown and tan patterned tops with bright yellow flowers; relatively robust and forgiving for beginners.
Lithops fulviceps
Features grey-brown tops with intricate darker markings; produces white flowers and is among the more compact species.
Lithops karasmontana subsp. bella
Known for its cream and grey patterned surface with attractive russet markings; produces white flowers and is popular in cultivation.
Lithops lesliei
One of the most variable species in terms of colour and pattern, named after the botanist Thomas Leslie; yellow flowers are common and it adapts reasonably well to cultivation.
Lithops pseudotruncatella
Displays particularly striking grey-green tops with darker channel markings; yellow-flowered and tolerant of a range of growing conditions within the genus.
Fun facts
- A single Lithops plant body is composed of just two leaves fused together, with the entire above-ground mass consisting of little more than this swollen leaf pair.
- Lithops can survive for months without water in their natural habitat, relying on moisture stored within their thick leaf bodies.
- The camouflage of Lithops is so effective that early European botanists collected what they believed were pebbles, only to discover they were plants when the specimens began to flower.
- The flower emerges from the narrow fissure between the two leaves and can be as wide as or wider than the entire plant body.
- Some Lithops species have a translucent or windowed upper surface that allows light to penetrate into the interior of the leaf for photosynthesis, as the plant grows partially buried in the ground in the wild.
Living Stones FAQ
Why is my Lithops splitting on the sides?
Side splitting almost always indicates watering during the leaf replacement phase in spring. When a new leaf pair is developing inside the old one, any additional water causes the outer leaves to swell and split abnormally. Withhold all water until the old pair has been completely reabsorbed and only the new growth remains.
When should I water my Lithops?
Water lightly in late summer and autumn to support flowering, then stop completely for winter. In spring, withhold water until the old leaves have shrivelled and collapsed entirely and the new leaf pair is fully exposed. In summer, water very sparingly only if the plant body becomes noticeably wrinkled. When in doubt, do not water.
My Lithops has two sets of leaves, is it dying?
No, this is normal and indicates the annual leaf replacement cycle is under way. The inner, new leaf pair is growing and will gradually absorb the outer, older pair. Do not remove the old leaves and stop watering immediately if you have been doing so. The old leaves will shrivel naturally over several weeks.
Why has my Lithops not flowered?
The most likely reasons are insufficient light or the plant being too young. Lithops typically flower for the first time after two to three years from seed. Ensure the plant receives at least four to five hours of direct sunlight daily, especially from midsummer into autumn, and follow the correct watering cycle to encourage blooms.
Can I grow Lithops outdoors in the UK?
Lithops can be placed outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot during the warmer months from late spring to early autumn, but must be kept completely dry from rain as summer rainfall is incompatible with their needs. They must be brought back indoors before the first autumn frosts, as they cannot survive freezing temperatures.
What is the best soil mix for Lithops?
A very gritty, free-draining mineral mix is essential. Combine standard cactus compost with at least 50 per cent coarse horticultural grit, perlite, or fine gravel. Some growers prefer mixes with up to 80 per cent inorganic material. Avoid peat-based or moisture-retaining composts entirely.
Are Lithops safe to keep around cats and dogs?
Yes. Lithops are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and are not known to cause serious harm. However, as with any plant, ingestion of plant material may cause mild stomach upset in some animals, and it is sensible to discourage pets from chewing houseplants as a general rule.
