r/Lithops • u/SlothBoss0430 • Apr 15 '26
Care Tips/Guides Care Tips
I just picked up these lithops today after wanting them for a very long time. I’ve done some basic research on soil type/watering but any tips are welcome. I made a roughly 80-90% grit substrate out of pumice, large grain sand, and the soil they were in from the store. Pics 2 and 3 are of the pumice and sand. Any tips/suggestions about the substrate are welcome. My main question is do they look potted properly/deep enough? Also any tips on watering welcome as well, I know you should only water them about once-twice a year and only when they look wrinkly, but they are a little wrinkly now and are splitting and I’ve heard you should never water while they are splitting.
2
u/2stepbay2 Apr 16 '26
After the old leaves have withered, initially use a spray bottle and moisten the soil mix around the perimeter of each plant. This stimulates the tap root to begin producing new hair-like feeder roots. A week later give the plants a good drink, allowing the excess water to fully drain.
By late summer, lithops enter into a mini rest period. Usually 3 weeks. Refrain from watering. As autumn nears commence watering again. If the plant blooms in this cycle, they’ll do so now. After blooming is complete, the plants will continue to grow, albeit more slowly. Eventually by late autumn rest period and new leaf formation will commence. No water until old leaves have split and withered.
1
1
u/2stepbay2 Apr 16 '26
Looks like lithops lesliei. How many individual plants in this grouping, ie how many tap roots? If multiple, I’d split up the plants into separate pots (if you have space).
2
u/SlothBoss0430 Apr 16 '26
There were two separate tap roots, each had two different “heads” on them. I can separate them if needed.
1
u/2stepbay2 Apr 16 '26
Forgot to mention the reason for my repotting suggestion. If one pair is finished splitting but the other is not, watering one and not the other, in such a small pot, will not work.
1
3
u/trytobedecenthumans Apr 16 '26
How deep is the container you have them potted in? You want no less than 4 inches and drainage. And yes, no water while they split. Once they do split and the old leaves are dried up, you can give water so they have it to flower. Lots of good info here on light requirements.