How Do You Get Lithops Through Summer Safely? These Care Tips Are a Must

Lithops have become a fairly popular succulent in recent years. They look like strange pebbles, bloom brilliantly, come in a rich range of colors, and have an unusual form, so they are deeply loved and grown by many enthusiasts. Lithops are not easy to keep alive through summer, which troubles many growers. Below, the editor brings you some small tips for getting Lithops through summer safely.

Light

Lithops dislike intense direct sun. Summer sunlight is fierce, and Lithops grown outdoors or on a balcony can easily be scorched to death by the sun, so at this time we need to move them indoors to avoid sun exposure. Secondly, when grown indoors they must not be placed in a completely dark spot either; they still need plenty of sunlight. If light is insufficient, watering over a long period can easily cause water to accumulate and make the root system rot.

Watering

At high summer temperatures, Lithops enter a dormant or semi-dormant state. For the plant's safety, we must then control water appropriately. Generally, when the temperature is below 30°C, the plant is in a semi-dormant state, and we can supplement a little water; the amount at one time should not be too much, and it is best to give small amounts often. When the temperature reaches above 30°C, the plant is in a dormant state, and at this point we should stop watering, so as not to let too much water accumulate in the potting soil and cause the root system to rot.

Soil

Soil is extremely important for the growth of Lithops. A fertile, loose, well-draining sandy soil is suitable; avoid heavy, clayey soil with poor drainage. You can mix soil yourself, using leaf mold, coarse river sand and vermiculite blended together, then add a small amount of bone meal and a fungicide for disinfection and sterilization. You can also add a little pumice and other artificial materials for better results.

Temperature

Lithops fear high temperatures and muggy conditions, and prefer a cool environment, so when caring for them in summer pay attention to where you place them; it is best to put them in a shady spot. If they are placed in a spot that is too hot and muggy, they will go dormant, be unable to keep growing, and easily die. The most suitable temperature is 10-30°C, so in summer you must pay special attention to temperature changes.

Ventilation

Ventilation is extremely important for Lithops. With insufficient ventilation, plants easily become infected with mold, and may even turn to mush. So the growing environment matters a great deal and needs good ventilation; only then will the plants be free of problems. If there really is no breeze, you can use an electric fan to ventilate the plants artificially and raise their chances of surviving summer.

Those are the tips for getting Lithops through summer. After reading the above, have you learned them? In short, the biggest threat to Lithops in summer is intense sunlight. Pay special attention to this point, and the chances of your Lithops surviving summer can be greatly improved.