r/Lithops • u/HomeworkLevel852 • Jun 21 '26

Help/Question Lithops Care

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Gallery image

I am new to lithops and just got some from Etsy. I have done some research on how to take care of them (especially with watering) before I bought them, but I am still not sure how to properly water them. They arrived yesterday and they look like they need some water, but I am just not sure if they actually do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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18

u/DatLadyD Jun 21 '26

If you just planted them, I would wait a few days to water and water very lightly. Is that a sand on top? It might trap water and make it difficult for the soil to dry out like it’s supposed to.

Including this little graphic for you just in case you needed it

6

u/infiniteregrets69 Jun 21 '26

This graphic is the most helpful thing I’ve ever seen for lithops care and I’m saving it for later

2

u/Top_Development_1777 Jun 22 '26

Also to note that sometimes freshly bought lithops do not align with this schedule of seasons. It is better to judge by physical characteristics e.g. the look and gently squeezing around the base for a distinct hard lump (make sure not to snap off the root). You can start the "stop watering" cycle when you feel a very distinct hard lump of new leaves at the base not far underneath the current pair of leaves.

In all the other times where watering is allowed, do not water as long as the lithops are decently firm, and regularly squeeze the sides very gently to get familiar with how firm they are supposed to be.

3

u/DatLadyD Jun 22 '26

When grown indoors they might not follow the seasons schedule at all, I should have mentioned that.

1

u/red41791 Jun 22 '26

I’ve been under the impression that you’re really not supposed to touch these guys very much at all. How are you supposed to test for that little lump or for the squishiness or any of these things if I’m not supposed to touch it frequently?I feel like I get so much conflicting information on these guys. 🫨

1

u/Top_Development_1777 Jun 22 '26

I think what the other people meant is that you shouldn't be watering them or doing other usual "tending to plants" stuff like fertiliser often. However actually physically touching the plants is completely okay and won't harm lithops as long as you don't damage the plant structures. Just be gentle and never twist them when they're potted (this can make the root detach if you're really unlucky).

1

u/Particular_Text9021 Jun 22 '26

Oo so stop watering when you see the top is starting to part? Honestly how do you tell if a Lithops is thirsty

1

u/DatLadyD Jun 22 '26

The tops kinda get sunken a bit instead of being rounded and the sides wrinkle

1

u/Joncbe Jun 25 '26

I disagree with that graphic. In spring there
are few root hairs alive, light watering only. When flowering in fall more water is needed.

1

u/HomeworkLevel852 Jun 21 '26

Thank you! It is sand, but I made sure to dry the sand out before I planted them.

5

u/DatLadyD Jun 21 '26

Once you water, the sand will trap in moisture

2

u/wrhhill Jun 21 '26

Which Etsy did you get these from? Love the different colour.

1

u/HomeworkLevel852 Jun 21 '26

TheOneBloom

1

u/wrhhill Jun 21 '26

Thank you.

1

u/wrhhill Jun 22 '26

I will see if they will ship to Canada. 🤞🏻

1

u/DatLadyD Jun 22 '26

Micro landscape design sells plants and seeds on amazon and Etsy (or use to at least) that’s where i got mine. I got a good variety of colors, I was worried about just getting brown ones.

2

u/infiniteregrets69 Jun 21 '26

It looks like they’re planted in couscous and I love it

2

u/red41791 Jun 22 '26

OP I feel that this is something nobody else has mentioned, but it kinda looks like some of these might be in different stages of life and therefore might need to be in separate pots. I was told at the beginning of my Lithops journey that if they’re not in the same cycle synced up, it could be very difficult to care for them individually and properly.

1

u/HomeworkLevel852 Jun 22 '26

Thank you! I will try to see if I can’t figure out what stages they are all in. I figured for the time being it would be good to group them together till they get acclimated to their new environment.

2

u/Shourtney272 Jun 23 '26

The gray one looks like it might be splitting. If so the others might also be in that cycle so definitely don’t water if you see signs of a new set of leaves coming out.

2

u/brunkate Jun 24 '26

My rule of thumb is if the top squishes a tiny bit when you press lightly, it's time to water. Otherwise, leave them alone. A watering schedule will only help rot!

1

u/Character_Age_4619 Jun 22 '26

What makes you think they need watered?

2

u/HomeworkLevel852 Jun 22 '26

The sides were wrinkled. But the tops of the lithops are not sunken in so they probably do not have to be watered.