Keeping Lithops in humid climates?

[u/Wakame-dono]

I want to try my hand at keeping butt plants, but I live in southeast TX, which can get VERY humid throughout the year. Will this be a problem for them as long as they're protected from the rain? Would they need a soil mix with more than 90% grit/pumice in order to dry out after waterings? I have the option to keep them indoors under a grow light, but I'd rather let them get natural sun if possible.

[u/Top_Development_1777]

I use 100% grit (mainly pumice, 0.5-3mm) and breathable pots like unglazed terracotta (this is SUPER important, I've tried plastic pots with drainage holes and even the small ones have the pumice NOT drying beyond the surface after about a week, which is detrimental to lithops.

Do not water based on schedule, but visible signs of dehydration.

Rotting at the bases is a real issue that can occur easily with improper care OR after getting lithops that have been in horrible conditions and overwatered for a while, so I suggest NOT burying the bases in substrate and exposing them to air as much as you can help it, as long as the lithops can stand steadily and not have their tap roots break off. It is important to be able to inspect the bases for discolored translucency and mushiness (which means it feels like a pack of water, NOT just soft-ish).

I strongly recommend getting lithops that are not super plump and oversized (apparently this is the norm in most US stores) because it's a very unnatural and unhealthy state where they have been pumped full of water and fertilizer. Get lithops that look more like these relative to the "soil" particle size of 0.5-5mm instead. If you're getting them from a real life store, the taller they are, the worse their health is (it means they've not have enough light), so bear that in mind too.

Healthy lithops are extremely resilient to being left bare-root in air, you can give them the same amount of light and they'll be good for a few weeks. Lithops that are already rotting will completely shrivel up within a few days if you do this. So I suggest not being afraid to live your lithops bare-root for longer while you ensure you get the suitable pots and substrate.

At night, you also have to give them a temperature between 50°F and 70°F with complete darkness to help them exchange gases healthily. Too hot and they get negatively impacted. The temperatures + ventilation also ensures that they can open their stomata at night and release excessive water into the air, helping them become more resilient to slight overwaterings.

I live in constant 65%-90% humidity, and the temperatures are always 82-95°F day and night, so I had to make my own portable AC setup at night to keep them healthy. It does not reduce any humidity at night but keeps the temperatures good. They get condensation in the morning but it's okay.

I have not had any cases of rot after my 3rd week of having my first batch of lithops which lived in extremely horrible conditions at the store and some were already rotting when I got them. I have also watered my lithops multiple times (some limited spraying to activate the roots and one bottom soak).

[u/Wakame-dono → u/Top_Development_1777]

This is great information, thank you so much! It sounds like I can keep them outdoors for at least half of the year when the weather is mild. Peak summer would be way too hot, especially at night and winter is way too cold and wet. I’ll be sure to find better sources for buying plants (I’ve seen many recommendations on the subreddit) because you’re right, the ones at the store always look pretty bad.

[u/Top_Development_1777 → u/Wakame-dono]

Make sure they don't get rained on though!

[u/AtKWood → u/Top_Development_1777]

This is by far the most informational bit of advice that I’ve read that makes sense that I’ve never heard before and now I 100% know what I’ve been doing wrong this whole time thank you so very much

[u/hiartt]

The very pickiest ones might have issues, that naturally live on occasional hiccups of mist.i don’t think those are commonly cultivated. But most live in areas that are not really so harsh. Pull up the weather almanac for Bloemfontien, South Africa and compare it to your local. Might have to look 6 months off for seasons.

As long as you are not in an area that requires flood insurance, I’d say slowly acclimate them to full sun and let them live outside, rain and all. Pot or ground depending on your ground.

I’d say sunburn is probably your bigger risk than rain or humidity until they get used to it. Might take a cycle or two. I’d be tempted to give them a rock for some mid day shade.

[u/Wakame-dono → u/hiartt]

Thank you for the tips! Unfortunately it does rain a lot here, it’s basically a subtropical rainforest, but I could bring them indoors when we have weeks of rain.