#44 Lithop Living Stone
SKU: EXACT 2in - #44 lithop
The Succulent Source · Plant notes
Meet Lithops Living Stone.
A pair of thick leaves forms a pebble-like body, with markings that make Lithops look more like a small stone than a conventional plant.
- LightStrong light with gentle acclimation
- WaterFollow the leaf cycle, not dry soil alone
- SoilAiry, free-draining mix and drainage holes
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Cold hardinessSoft succulent
Protect from frost
A closer look
What makes it different.
This listing does not specify a particular Lithops species or marking pattern. Leaf replacement is normal, and its watering routine must follow the growth cycle rather than a general succulent calendar.
Each body consists of a pair of water-storing leaves divided by a central fissure. A replacement pair develops inside the old one. Older plants can eventually divide into more heads and may produce daisy-like flowers when mature.
The everyday essentials
How to keep it happy.
01 Find the right light
Provide strong light, introducing direct sun gradually after shipping. Gentle morning sun with protection from intense afternoon heat is a useful starting point. Weak light can produce stretched, elongated bodies.
02 Water with the plant’s needs in mind
Lithops need a growth-cycle approach. Keep them dry while the new leaf pair absorbs the old leaves; do not water simply because the potting mix is dry. Water cautiously during active growth after the old pair has become a dry, papery remnant.
03 Give the roots air and drainage
Choose a very gritty, fast-draining mix and a draining pot deep enough for the roots. Avoid moisture-retentive soil and standing water. Keep the leaf bodies above the mix at their existing planting depth rather than burying them deeply.
04 Adjust through the year
Watch the actual leaf cycle. During leaf replacement, the old pair supplies the new pair with water. Hot-weather dormancy can also require a pause in watering. Timing varies by species and growing conditions, so a fixed monthly calendar can mislead.
Start here
The first few days at home.
Unpack promptly, gently remove loose packing material, and place the plant in bright protected light. Check the leaf stage before watering; a newly arrived Lithops may be replacing its leaves and need to stay dry even if the soil is dry.
Give the roots time to settle in the nursery pot before choosing a permanent container. Small cosmetic marks can occur on living plants. If something concerns you on arrival, take clear photos and contact us for help.
Know what you’re seeing
Pests & common growing questions.
Growing tall instead of staying stone-like?
Elongated growth can indicate insufficient light. Increase exposure gradually and protect the plant from sudden scorching sun. Do not bury stretched tissue deeply in damp mix to disguise the shape.
Splitting or becoming soft?
Check the growth stage and watering history. Too much moisture can split the bodies or promote rot. Normal old-leaf absorption is different from wet, mushy tissue; avoid watering a soft plant without investigating.
Cottony clumps in leaf joints?
Inspect for mealybugs and separate an affected plant from others. Cottony clusters differ from normal hairs, waxy coatings, or raised leaf markings. Identify the pest before choosing a treatment and follow its label.
A mark on an older leaf?
A few dry older leaves or minor surface marks can be normal. Progressive tissue collapse, a darkening stem, or repeated unexplained leaf loss deserves a closer look. Check moisture, light, roots, and pests together.
A few useful answers
Before you choose your spot.
Are shrivelling old leaves a problem?
During normal leaf replacement, the old pair shrivels as the new pair draws on it. Do not peel off living old leaves or add water to plump them back up. Wait until they have dried naturally; soft, spreading decay or a collapsed body needs a different assessment.
How can I grow more?
Seed is a common way to raise Lithops. Division is only suitable for established multi-headed plants with an appropriate root structure. Do not pull apart a single body or try to propagate a detached leaf as you would an Echeveria.
Will I receive the exact plant in the photo?
You receive this listing’s nursery type, not the exact individual photographed. Photos show representative plants. These are juvenile specimens, so color, size, shape, and the number of rooted plants can vary. Please check the ordering details below.
A few ordering details.
You receive a young plant of this listing’s nursery type in a basic plastic container, usually black or orange, approximately 2 inches wide across the top and 2 inches tall. The measurement refers to the pot, not a guaranteed plant width. Size, color, and form vary through the year.
Depending on the variety and how it grows, a pot may contain one or several smaller rooted plants; the number is not fixed. We select healthy plants from the stock available when your order is packed.
Delayed shipping is not available for these specific types because our nursery stock changes frequently. Please review our shipping information before ordering.
Plant care references
Wisconsin Extension: living stones · Iowa State Extension: succulent troubleshooting. Nursery names and representative photos come from this listing. Adjust care to your own growing conditions.
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