Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand (CSSNZ) Inc.

Lithops ... 2/3


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Cultivation

Lithops

Temperature
Where Lithops grow it is very dry and hot, so keep temperatures of 15C - 25C (plus ventilation) during the summer, and during winter not less than 5C or even cooler so long as the soil mix is kept dry, but frost can damage them as the water in the cell freezes and expands destroying the cell wall.


Soil Mix
Lithops prefer an open and free draining soil mix consisting of compost/peat/potting mix and a high proportion of pumice and stone grit, especially in the upper levels or even a layer of stones on the very top to protect the plant from excess water around the plant.


Watering
Lithops should be kept dry during the winter months, plus high summer when they go into dormancy before their growth season.
By spring the plants should be covered by a papery thin sheath with a new plant underneath after a winter drought. The new plant may even be growing through the old set of leaves. Remove these old leaves if they can come away easily as they may hide insect bugs or encourage rotting.
Now watering should be increased gradually over spring until summer which can be once a week or more frequently so long as the soil is allowed to drain and dry out between watering. In the very height of summer in the high temperatures the plants may reduce their growth and go into semi-dormancy and hence need less water - Just watch your plant and learn by trial and error when to water, withhold the water but if the plant/s become stressed or shrivel excessively give them a little water - I don't normally advise light watering, except in this case.
From early autumn watering should be introduced again to allow the plant to flower and store up reserves for winter "growth" (of the new plant body inside), then stopped after flowering (which indicates the end of the season) in preparation for winter. In the winter months - no water - your plant will be shrivelling but this normal as the moisture and nutrients are taken up by the new bodies growing underneath.


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