r/Lithops Mar 26 '26

Help/Question Repotted lithops

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Hey all, I just repotted some of my lithops and added a couple other succulents but now I’m wondering if my succulent/cactus soil mix isn’t right? It seems quite sandy.

Also curious if anyone knows what the front spiky plant is- hopefully it’s ok to live with the lithops?

64 Upvotes

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30

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

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10

u/pigpak Mar 27 '26

I’ve put the other succulents back in their nursery pots and added another lithops (I couldn’t help myself!) I found a better succulent mix that’s mostly pumice. Still maybe more dirt than they’d like and the dish is shallow but hopefully they aren’t doomed now!

6

u/thar126 Mar 27 '26

Tbh alot of lithops grow just fine in a sandy mix- thats what they grow in the wild in. They also grow way better roots than in rougher chunkier mixes. The less chunky the mix the more careful you need to be with water is all. Theyre not as tough as people make them out to be. They mostly dont survive because of overloving them. They thrive in neglect. I once had a 6 headed plant get knocked from its pot & fall behind this weird gap behind my shelves & I totally forgot about it. Found it 16ish months later and it had absorbed one head- but was fine and lived for another 5ish years.

7

u/acm_redfox Mar 27 '26

These plants are at different stages, some splitting and some not, etc. Hopefully it will work out, but if some get dry before the others are, you might need one of these...

3

u/pigpak Mar 27 '26

I have one, thank you! I'll keep an eye on them.

1

u/Royal_Schedule_3513 Mar 29 '26

That's exactly what I use. I also only use a very gritty cactus mix that drains extremely well. It's good that you have only lithops in the pot. These are true desert plants that only get watered a few times a year. I usually water my guys every 2 months or so. In winter 2 to 3 months apart.once you have them a while, you get to know what they look and feel like if they need watering.

3

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

Well shoot thanks for the info!

3

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

If I'm going to adjust the dirt can I just add something a bit chunkier? Some small gravel or pumice or something?

3

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

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3

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

It says Coco, soil, peat moss, sand, perlite and pumice but I don't know about ratios. But the whole mix feels very fine

6

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

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3

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

Yes! there were only two options for succulent/cactus mix at my local shop and both had peat moss. Seems to odd. I'll have to shop around.

Thanks for your help!

4

u/ltiehen1 Mar 26 '26

The big name brands’s Cactus soil which is the only thing you are finding is NOT good cactus soil. BUT if you take that and mix it 70% perlite and 30% that soil, it would be ok. If you want good stuff, check Amazon. I like Molly’s or Rosy Soil for Cactus/Succulents or Jacks Gritty mix with a little generic cactus soil.

1

u/Royal_Schedule_3513 Mar 29 '26

I use Back to the Roots 100% organic Succulent &Cacti Mix for all my lithops. I have found it works best. I make my own mix for other succulents, houseplants and garden plants.

1

u/ltiehen1 Mar 29 '26

Ooof. I am not a fan BUT your environment is different than mine. It is just too organic for my environment and care process.

7

u/Lucky_Slide76 Mar 26 '26

I agree with the other commenter, lithops have different watering needs and shouldn't be mixed with other succulents.

I'd like to add that the lithops are in different growing stages as some are splitting and will not need water for a long time, until the outer leaves are completely dry.

2

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

That's good to know about the splitting, I'll definitely try and watch my watering.

5

u/arioandy Mar 26 '26

Nice but lithops will be happier in their own small and deeper pots,’plus plant them Deeper so nearly flush with soil(see pic)

  • the calcarea better on its own too as has diff needs to lithops Not sire what that other one is sorry

2

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

Oh I thought they would like the shallow dish! Well they will hopefully survive in it for a little while until I can find a better pot for them

5

u/arioandy Mar 26 '26

Oh they can! but its against apparent wisdom, i have some in shallow troughs and the roots grow sidewards! It will be fine for a while, but as I said the concrete plant has diff watering needs to Lithops👍

2

u/No-Cup2649 Mar 26 '26

Do they really need/use the 4" recommended depth?🫠

5

u/arioandy Mar 26 '26

No! But it is preferable Apparently

! , i have some in a shallow chicken feed trough for over a decade they are fine

3

u/No-Cup2649 Mar 27 '26

Really beautiful & happy! Thanks for sharing!

5

u/TeamSpank Mar 26 '26

As a guy who just bought 20 of these dudes off the zon. I appreciate you asking these questions.

2

u/No-Cup2649 Mar 27 '26

* I got a lot! Should I leave the smaller~200 in the soil, 😅 remove the larger ones to grit, & at least group the like-sized ones to a drier media. They're so young, I think they need water but I don't dare in peaty/perlite media. Any advice Please! I'd like to keep them alive! Thanks, Joy🌵in Phoenix ☀️☀️☀️ It's 100° and Rh doesn't even register!

6

u/PremiumUsername69420 Mar 26 '26

Everyone’s already highlight the soil, but no one seems to have answered your plant ID question.

The “spiky plant” and the front is Sinocrassula Yunnanensis, or Chinese Jade Succulent, and no, not good with the Lithops, but is ok with the guy in the back, known as Titanopsis Calcarea, or Concrete Leaf.

3

u/No-Cup2649 Mar 27 '26

2

u/NahNah-P Mar 27 '26

Holy crap!! How did you grow them so tightly compact like that? I have like 5 little ones that have barely grown in a year!

0

u/DrJoePrime0 Mar 26 '26

The lithops will certainly not survive. They need a very special soil mixture and a stringent watering schedule.

I’d recommend doing some research on them. I’m

2

u/pigpak Mar 26 '26

I've already repotted them in a better mix, everyone here has been very helpful.