LITHOPS (LIVING STONE)

Have you ever been browsing in a succulent section of a garden center, and discovered a pot with nothing more than a pair of flat-topped rocks in it? if so, you may have discovered the lithops plant, an unusual African genus of succulent.

Lithops are fascinating little succulents. The living stone plant is very sensitive to the seasons of the year but can live for decades. Further, many species flower in the fall, which can be a great burst of light colors.

 It's estimated that there are at least 37 species of Lithops and around 145 varieties.

These succulents have window-like cells on the leaf surfaces that allow light deep into the plant to aid in photosynthesis. 

ABOUT FLOWERING:

The lithops flower is daisy-like appearance, and depending on the species can be anywhere from a half inch to an inch and a half in diameter. it can be orange, white, or pale yellow. Some have a scent which is described as spicy-sweet.

These flowers will open in the early afternoon to soak in sunlight and allow for pollination, and then will close in the late afternoon before dusk. As lithops is not self-pollinating, they are reliant on insect pollinator.

                  

When the lithops flower fades, the center forms a seed capsule. This capsule does not open unless it's been moistened, but once it does, rain droplets can cause seeds to bounce out of the capsule and land up to a foot away from the parent plant.

After flowering has concluded, the plants will go dormant. During this time,it starts to form a new body. When it begins to grow again, the new leaf pair will emerge from the crevice between the old leaves.

Over time, the plant will draw its moisture and nutrients from the old leaves, transferring it to the new pair. The older leaves will thin out. Once they become paper thin and devoid of their moisture, they can be removed to reveal the new plant body.

CARE:

For the most part, lithops are very hands off. They handle themselves quite well! but there are a few things about how to care for lithops that you'll need to know.

• Lithops is a full sun plant. It requires enough sunlight to produce its colorful stone like display.
• However, in gardens or as houseplants, 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day should be enough to keep your plant happy.
• Prevent exposure to frost or freezes, because the cell walls in the thick leaves will rupture if it's too cold. This will cause your plant to rot and die.
• During summer, we're all used to watering our plants more often. However living stones go dormant during the summer heat, and its important to only water it if the plant is becoming wrinkled and looking as though the leaves are drying out. If you do water during summertime, do it in the early morning, and give it only a tiny bit of water.
• Avoid watering during winter.
• As a general rule, fertilizing your lithops isn't needed. These plants get almost no fertilizer in their natural environment.

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