Basics in Growing Lithops

Many, especially beginners, make mistakes of growing lithops.  They tend to eventually dry out. Many say that their lithops just explode, or melt.

To prevent those incidents, and to give your Lithops the longest life (they say Lithops lives over 30 years), follow these basic Lithops growing guidelines.

Basic Lithops Growing Guidelines

• Stop watering after flowering.
• Start watering after the old leaves completely dry. (In the Philippines, it could be any month, but expect the leaves to dry in late January to Early February when the cool season is leaving and the summer is coming in).
• Water freely during the growing season (summer).  Soak the compost fully but allow it to dry out between waterings, no water when cold. 
• Some growers fertilize frequently, some hardly ever. 
• Keep them dry during the cold and rainy season (this starts in late May or early June, until late January of the following year - Philippine climate calendar). 
• This plant is best for a well lit area (Bright shade to full sun). But don't be afraid even the best growers have plants that mysteriously dry up, or leave during the night. 

Nearly all problems occur as a result of over-watering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. Give them air. You might need to give them cover during the rainy seasons or keep them indoors to prevent soaking from rain or storms.

Beginner Tips For Growing Lithops

The main issue with lithops is people overthink them. They require little watering throughout the year. 

Don't water them once they begin to split as they are drawing water from the old leaves to fuel the growth of the new ones. 

Once split, the plants should only be watered once you begin to see ample lines forming along the sides of the plant.

Sunlight, I keep mine under filtered light via shade cloth with full to partial sun in the morning or late afternoon, early evening. Don't put them out under full sun, they will burn.

Don't let them sit out below the mid 40's, cold AND wet is a basically a death sentence.

You WILL kill lithops as a beginner so get used to it. Start off with some basic specimens, ge the hang of their care, them move up to more exotic species and or clumps the more practice you get.

When you begin to see lines forming along the sides that's generally a good sign they're ready to be watered. For Gods sake, don't overdo it either. One good soaking every week and a half to two weeks is enough.

(Photo from Dan Curran)

Pot your lithops in a fast draining potting mix, I reccomend a ratio of 70% pumice to 30% cactus soil with some sand and a little coarse gravel.

These plants are adapted to be living water tanks. The longer they sit in wet soil, the longer they will absorb water until they simply start to melt down. You want a mixture which retains enough to give them what they need without being too wet for long periods.