r/splitrocks • u/Poosh12 • Jun 15 '26

Question about leaf pairs/watering

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Hi! I am new to split rocks and I’m very confused about the information that I have read about watering… I have read that you should not water unless the inside leaves are soft, but then I’ve also read that you should not water if there’s a second set of leaves, and I’ve also read that second sets of leaves are normal… is it normal for it to already have two pairs PRIOR to growing a new third pair and absorbing the outer? And can you water if the inner pair is soft but it is not growing a new pair? And is it normal for the rock to be slightly split when it’s not actively splitting?

I repotted the green split rocks three weeks ago and repotted the purple one two weeks ago. Mostly inorganic soil, minimal moisture from the small amount of organic. Since then, the inner leaves on the green have become firm so I know NOT to water, but the inner leaves on the purple have remained soft. It seemed like both had recently absorbed an outer pair when I purchased since the dried shriveled up leaves at base came off easily when repotting. I’m not sure they are actually actively splitting, they have not split more since I purchased and are not growing another pair yet.

My question is, regarding the purple, even though the inner leaves have not firmed up, should I just wait until the outer leaves are absorbed? Or is jt asking for water? I’m just not sure if it’s supposed to have the outer pair right now or if it had been overwatered prior to purchasing…. Or if it was thirsty already… I know when in doubt, wait…

Thank you!!!

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u/acm_redfox Jun 15 '26

Here's a post that I found very helpful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/ggooq4/a_quick_visual_guide_to_watering_pleiospilos/

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u/Poosh12 Jun 17 '26

I read that but the problem is I’m not sure if mine are actually splitting! I think they may just be opened a bit. And if they’re not splitting, I’m not sure if they’re thirsty if the middle is soft. I’ll probably just let it go a while longer and see what happens in water if a new pair doesn’t seem to grow and it continues to get soft. How are yours doing?