Moderate Succulent Safe for pets

Living Stones

Lithops

A fascinating succulent from South Africa resembling a small split pebble, a master of botanical camouflage.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 30 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

10–30 %
Temperature

10–35 °C

How to care for your Living Stones

Everything you need to keep your Living Stones healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Lithops, or living stones, are among the most unusual plants in the world. Native to the deserts of southern Africa, these miniature succulents consist of two fused fleshy leaves that perfectly mimic surrounding pebbles. Each year, a new pair of leaves emerges from the central fissure while the old one dries up and nourishes the new growth. Their very particular life cycle requires strict seasonal watering, making them a fascinating challenge for succulent enthusiasts.

Watering your Living Stones

Every 30 days

Very sparingly and only during the active growing period (late summer to autumn). NEVER water during moulting (winter–spring) or in midsummer (dormancy). Excess water is fatal.

How to know it needs water

Sides of the plant beginning to wrinkle
Substrate has been dry for several weeks
Plant is NOT in moulting period (no new pair of leaves visible)

How much light a Living Stones needs

Full sun

Full sun or very bright light. At least 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light causes etiolation and loss of coloration.

Direct sun tolerated: 5 to 10 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-east, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

10–30 %

Very low (10–30%). Avoid any elevated humidity. Never mist. Any moisture on the plant is dangerous and can cause immediate rot.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 60 days

Fertilize very rarely, one to two times per year maximum, in autumn. Excess fertilizer causes swelling and cracking of the plant.

Recommended feed: Cactus fertilizer diluted to a quarter dose, only in autumn during active growth. · 0-10-10

Repotting your Living Stones

Every 36 months

Use a deep, narrow pot with excellent drainage. Almost entirely mineral substrate: 80% pumice/perlite/gravel + 20% potting soil. Bury the plant to its natural ground level. Do not water for 2 weeks after repotting.

When: Late summer (just before the resumption of growth)
Potting mix: Cactus and succulent mix
Mix in: pumice, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Plant has formed a dense cluster of several heads
Roots filling the pot
Substrate completely mineral and degraded

Pruning your Living Stones

No pruning needed. Remove dried old leaves after moulting if they do not detach by themselves.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 90 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 30 in the growing season.

75 J
75 F
30 M
30 A
30 M
90 J
90 J
90 A
30 S
30 O
30 N
75 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Lithops evolved to perfectly resemble the pebbles in their South African desert environment — this mimicry allows them to escape herbivorous animals that cannot distinguish them from surrounding stones.
The upper surface of Lithops has translucent windows that let light pass into the interior of the leaf where photosynthetic cells are located, allowing the plant to photosynthesize while remaining nearly buried.

Frequently asked questions about the Living Stones

How do you care for a Living Stones?

Water it every 30 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 10–30 %. Ideal temperature: 10–35 °C. Very sparingly and only during the active growing period (late summer to autumn). NEVER water during moulting (winter–spring) or in midsummer (dormancy). Excess water is fatal.

How often should you water a Living Stones?

Every 30 days Very sparingly and only during the active growing period (late summer to autumn). NEVER water during moulting (winter–spring) or in midsummer (dormancy). Excess water is fatal. How to know it needs water : Sides of the plant beginning to wrinkle ; Substrate has been dry for several weeks ; Plant is NOT in moulting period (no new pair of leaves visible).

How much light does a Living Stones need?

Full sun Full sun or very bright light. At least 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light causes etiolation and loss of coloration. 5 to 10 h a day

Is the Living Stones toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Living Stones is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Living Stones leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Living Stones?

Repot every 36 months, ideally in late summer (just before the resumption of growth). Use a deep, narrow pot with excellent drainage. Almost entirely mineral substrate: 80% pumice/perlite/gravel + 20% potting soil. Bury the plant to its natural ground level. Do not water for 2 weeks after repotting.