How to Grow Lithops? Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Lithops look like little colorful stones from a distance, and some netizens say they look like a baby's bottom. Their appearance is especially cute and unique, and they also bloom with very beautiful flowers, making them deeply loved by flower enthusiasts. So do you know how to grow Lithops? Let's find out together below!

How to Grow Lithops

1. Soil: Lithops are not very demanding about environmental conditions, and cultivation and management are relatively easy. The potting soil can be prepared by mixing 4 parts leaf mold, 3 parts calcareous material (shell powder, eggshell powder, aged lime wall debris, etc.), and 3 parts river sand.

2. Watering: Lithops need more water during the growing season, but they must not be too wet, as moss easily grows and affects the normal growth of the ball-shaped leaves.

3. Sunlight: In summer, keep Lithops in a semi-shaded place for care, or provide 50% shade, and the leaf color will be more beautiful. In spring and autumn, since the temperature is not very high, give them direct sunlight to help them carry out photosynthesis and accumulate nutrients. In winter, keep them indoors in a place with bright light.

4. Temperature: The optimal growing temperature for Lithops is 15°C-25°C. They fear high temperatures and stuffiness, and enter dormancy when the summer heat exceeds 33°C. They dislike cold and frost, and the overwintering temperature needs to be kept above 10°C. When the winter temperature drops below 7°C, they also enter dormancy. If the ambient temperature approaches 4°C, they will die from frostbite.

5. Fertilizing: Lithops need fertilizing once every half month, but the fertilizer solution must never stain the ball-shaped leaves. After flowering in autumn, pause fertilizing.

6. Pests and diseases: Lithops are mainly affected by leaf spot disease and leaf rot disease, which can be sprayed with a 600-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder. Pests include ants and root-knot nematodes. Use the soil replacement method to reduce nematode damage. To prevent ants, use the double-pot water barrier method so ants cannot climb onto the tender, juicy ball-shaped leaves.

Lithops Cultivation Methods and Precautions

1. Soil requirements

Lithops are not very demanding about environmental conditions, and cultivation and management are relatively easy. Ordinary succulent potting soil is sufficient. Usually, mix 4 parts leaf mold, 3 parts calcareous material (shell powder, eggshell powder, aged lime wall debris, etc.), and 3 parts river sand evenly.

2. Water and fertilizer requirements

From February to April in spring is the molting period for Lithops. At this time, stop fertilizing and control watering so the old skin dries up early. Some people like to directly peel off the old skin by hand when Lithops show signs of molting, so the small plants inside can receive sunlight as soon as possible, promoting their growth and making them short and sturdy. However, inexperienced growers may instead injure the plant, so be careful when doing this. After the plant molts, apply a compound fertilizer once to promote healthy growth of the young plants.

Watering is generally done at night or in the early morning when the temperature is lower. Do not water during the day when the temperature is higher, to avoid harming the plant due to a sudden temperature drop. During cultivation, avoid rain exposure, especially prolonged rain or heavy rain, otherwise excessive water absorption can cause the top of the plant to split. Avoid keeping the potting soil in a moist environment for a long time, as moss easily grows in the pot.

3. Light and temperature requirements

Lithops like sunlight but are not tolerant of strong light. In summer, keep them in a semi-shaded place for care, or provide 50% shade, and the leaf color will be more beautiful. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is not very high, give them direct sunlight to help them carry out photosynthesis and accumulate nutrients. In winter, keep them indoors in a place with bright light.

The optimal growing temperature for Lithops is 15°C-25°C. They fear high temperatures and stuffiness, and enter dormancy when the summer heat exceeds 33°C. In winter, the temperature must be kept above 10°C for safe overwintering. When the winter temperature drops below 7°C, they also enter dormancy. If the ambient temperature approaches 4°C, they will die from frostbite.

4. Precautions

Because the root system of Lithops is not well developed, it is best to grow them in small pots, and the pots should not be too deep; 8-10 cm is enough. The best growth period for Lithops is from late autumn to the following spring. This is the most critical period for care and also the growing season. High summer temperatures are not suitable for their growth, so it is the dormant period. Therefore, when caring for them, pay attention to water and temperature control during the growing and dormant periods.

Hydroponic Method for Lithops

When growing Lithops hydroponically, choose plants with good growth. If you simply want to grow them hydroponically, you also need to choose Lithops with intact and healthy roots.

First, take the Lithops plant out of the soil. Clean off the soil around the roots, and be careful during the process not to damage the roots.

Then insert the roots of the Lithops upright into a transparent straw prepared in advance (the straw should be as thick as possible for easier handling). You can appropriately cut the straw shorter so the roots protrude from the bottom.

Finally, place the whole thing into a container filled with clean water, and it is done.

Growth Habits of Lithops

Lithops prefer a climate that is warm in winter and cool in summer, and are suitable for growing in warm, dry, and sunny environments. They fear low temperatures and dislike strong light. The optimal growing temperature is 10-30°C, and they are best grown in loose, breathable, neutral sandy loam.

The growth form of Lithops is quite special. They show molting during the dormant period, and appropriately reducing water in winter and summer helps with molting.

3-4 year old Lithops bloom in autumn from the gap between the opposite leaves, with yellow, white, pink, and other colored flowers. They mostly open in the afternoon, close in the evening, and open again the next afternoon. A single flower can bloom for 3-7 days. When blooming, the flower almost covers the entire plant, and it is very delicate and beautiful. Also, some varieties will split heads and form clusters after reaching a certain age. After the flowers fade, they produce fruit, from which very tiny seeds can be harvested.

In summary, Lithops have extremely high value, and their appearance is unique and distinctive, different from traditional succulents. If they are not flowering, people who do not know them will not realize they are succulents. Friends who like Lithops can grow a few at home; decorating a balcony or desk with them is also very nice!