Proud (nervous as heck 😬) new owner of these babies. I’v...
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 years ago
8
@BalancedBonsai
1. LIGHT EXPOSURE
Lithops have adapted to tolerate harsh sunlight in their native environment. Thus, the best way to care for them would be to provide 4-5 hours of early sunlight, and partial shade in the afternoon. A south or east window with optimum light is an ideal place for your Lithops. Remember, insufficient sunlight can cause elongated leaves and lost patterns.
Although they are sun-lover, intense heat can damage their foliage and cause sunburn. Be sure to place them in less sunny spots or cover them up if you find their containers absorb too much heat in the summer afternoon.
2. IDEAL TEMPERATURE
Lithops are desert succulents that can tolerate temperatures up to 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they most likely thrive and grow happily when grown in conditions between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, since this plant may easily develop rot, remember to give it some protection from freezing temperatures, or better yet, carry them indoors once the temperature starts dropping below 40 degrees.
3. WATER DEMANDS
Since Lithops have the ability to store water for months in their leaves, watering this plant at the wrong time in their growth cycle can lead to its demise.
To walk you through on this one, water your Lithops once every 2 weeks (at most) beginning at the end of summer, where this plant is actively growing. But once the winter season hits, it's best to leave it be and not water at all, as this is when its old leaves will start to die and new ones will begin to grow inside, and watering it during this time of the year could have a negative effect on its growth. This normally happens after their dormant season, which is around spring to early fall. Once the days get shorter and the temperature get cooler in fall, the plants will be active again.
Aside from the watering schedule mentioned above, another way to determine if your Lithops needs to be watered is by closely observing its condition. If you see that the plant starts to wrinkle or pucker, or appears to be sinking deeper into the pot and feels softer than usual when given a gentle squeeze, then it's time to give it a nice drink.
4. SOIL
It is best for Lithops to be planted in cactus mix or fast-draining potting soil. Sand, pebbles, or other gritty materials can also be added to help with soil drainage.
5. FERTILIZING NEEDS
In general, Lithops don't require fertilization to thrive. You may, however, feed it just before its usual blooming season to encourage this plant to produce flowers.
To do this, simply feed your Living Stones with a small amount of heavily diluted cactus fertilizer that is low nitrogen and high in potassium during the Spring season. And make sure not to apply the fertilizer directly to the leaves of the plant as this may burn or damage it.
6. REPOT
Lithops, like any other plants in general, should only be repotted if there are problems (soggy soil) or if the plants outgrow their container. If you want to repot the plants anyway, only repot when its growing season starts (usually around the month of May). Lithops's roots must be sufficiently developed (at least 2 years) before any re-potting is done.
1. LIGHT EXPOSURE
Lithops have adapted to tolerate harsh sunlight in their native environment. Thus, the best way to care for them would be to provide 4-5 hours of early sunlight, and partial shade in the afternoon. A south or east window with optimum light is an ideal place for your Lithops. Remember, insufficient sunlight can cause elongated leaves and lost patterns.
Although they are sun-lover, intense heat can damage their foliage and cause sunburn. Be sure to place them in less sunny spots or cover them up if you find their containers absorb too much heat in the summer afternoon.
2. IDEAL TEMPERATURE
Lithops are desert succulents that can tolerate temperatures up to 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they most likely thrive and grow happily when grown in conditions between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, since this plant may easily develop rot, remember to give it some protection from freezing temperatures, or better yet, carry them indoors once the temperature starts dropping below 40 degrees.
3. WATER DEMANDS
Since Lithops have the ability to store water for months in their leaves, watering this plant at the wrong time in their growth cycle can lead to its demise.
To walk you through on this one, water your Lithops once every 2 weeks (at most) beginning at the end of summer, where this plant is actively growing. But once the winter season hits, it's best to leave it be and not water at all, as this is when its old leaves will start to die and new ones will begin to grow inside, and watering it during this time of the year could have a negative effect on its growth. This normally happens after their dormant season, which is around spring to early fall. Once the days get shorter and the temperature get cooler in fall, the plants will be active again.
Aside from the watering schedule mentioned above, another way to determine if your Lithops needs to be watered is by closely observing its condition. If you see that the plant starts to wrinkle or pucker, or appears to be sinking deeper into the pot and feels softer than usual when given a gentle squeeze, then it's time to give it a nice drink.
4. SOIL
It is best for Lithops to be planted in cactus mix or fast-draining potting soil. Sand, pebbles, or other gritty materials can also be added to help with soil drainage.
5. FERTILIZING NEEDS
In general, Lithops don't require fertilization to thrive. You may, however, feed it just before its usual blooming season to encourage this plant to produce flowers.
To do this, simply feed your Living Stones with a small amount of heavily diluted cactus fertilizer that is low nitrogen and high in potassium during the Spring season. And make sure not to apply the fertilizer directly to the leaves of the plant as this may burn or damage it.
6. REPOT
Lithops, like any other plants in general, should only be repotted if there are problems (soggy soil) or if the plants outgrow their container. If you want to repot the plants anyway, only repot when its growing season starts (usually around the month of May). Lithops's roots must be sufficiently developed (at least 2 years) before any re-potting is done.
Yay! So excited for you to join the #LithopsArmy!