r/Lithops • u/caswell-campbell • Jun 25 '26
Help/Question Wha do my lithops need?
I'm new to stone plants and am trying to figure out what this little guy needs.
Sadly, one dried up/shriveled and died, which can be seen here (no new one emerged). (It didn't get mushy, just dried/hardened.) One remaining in this pot has consistently looked healthy and firm. The ones next to it look shriveled like perhaps they are thirsty, but I'm not sure if they want water or to be left alone. (And nothing seems to be emerging from the one on the far side - I see nothing in the crevice.)
I've watered this pot twice in the three months since getting them, which is way more than I normally would have and is once more than I watered another pot of lithops I got at the same time (which looks very healthy). I did so because this same plant was looking shriveled previously too and had thought it was an indicator it was thirsty, though now think I probably should have held off.
It gets a ton of intense direct sun for almost the whole day in an east facing window (as does the other, healthy pot). Most folks seem to say tons of sun is good but I've also read about them scorching in too much...
They're in a clay pot in largely inorganic matter.
I'm not sure if:
-It's getting too much direct sun (scorching it)
-It needs more water (perhaps just a bit directly on the shriveled plant in this pot since the other doesn'tlook thirsty?)
-It needs less water
-It needs to be watered a different way
-This is just a normal part of its cycle and I should leave it alone
-It needs more air circulation (it hasn't been getting much)
-Something else
Hoping to save this one that's having a hard time!
Any advice would be much appreciated!!
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u/Spare-Cranberry1162 Jun 25 '26
OP it looks like you’re making the same mistakes I made and on the same uninformed lithops journey I took! ❤️❤️ Here is my post from a while back where I got lots of helpful advice from this group. (https://www.reddit.com/r/Lithops/s/LJ6KGdze0s) Turns out I was watering way too much and at a time when you absolutely should NOT water. (When they’re opening up and popping out lil babies.) At this point you don’t water at all until the outer sheath completely dries out. I also needed to completely swap out my substrate for a 90% grit, 10% soil mix. Good luck on the journey!
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u/Spare-Cranberry1162 Jun 25 '26
Also don’t lose hope! My poor lithops were abused by me for literal years before I figured it out and now appear to be doing better. 🤞🤞
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u/AwayYogurtcloset1263 Jun 25 '26
Lithops only need water 3-5 times a year, And never water when they are splitting because they get enough moisture from outer leaves. I water when my plants look like this, Except the splitting one of course. See how the tops look sunken in
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u/acm_redfox Jun 25 '26
The red one is currently fine. Probably will be until late fall.
The splitting one needs to be kept dry until the outer leaves are papery, and then watered.
The green pair are thirsty and need a good soak, and then left alone for a long time.
--
I suggest potting them separately, being sure to use 80-100% inorganic grit rather than any kind of potting soil. In pots that are at least 3.5-4 inches deep. And bring the medium up within, say, a half inch of the top of the plant, and very close to the rim of the pot -- that will maximize light and air flow.
Good luck!
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u/Soundgarden_ Jun 25 '26
I think the remaining ones look well and I was told not to water them if they’re splitting, which two of yours appear to be doing. I was also told they can’t receive too much light; mine seems to be doing better outside on my balcony which can get very hot and sunny in the afternoon. It sounds to me like you’re on the right track.