Lithops : Living Stones

Lithops, commonly known as Living Stones, are among the most highly adapted of the many succulent plants. Lithops are native to Africa and have been found growing wild in just three countries; Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

Their mimicry of local rocks and stones helps them blend in with their surroundings and protects them from foraging predators. The hues and patterns produced by these plants is astonishing.

These plants require good light at all times. Upon receipt the plant should be unwrapped as soon as possible. I recommend a peat based compost or a mix of peat and loam based potting compost, with the addition of 25 to 30% sharp sand or perlite to aid drainage. Lithops thrive best in a coarse, well drained soil. Any soil that retains too much water will cause the plants to burst their skins as they over expand.

After repotting the plant it, should be placed in a bright, sunny position. Do not water for one week after repotting. Plants grown in strong light will develop hard strongly coloured skins which are resistant to damage and rot, although persistent overwatering will still be fatal. The plant should be watered regularly throughout the growing season (March to October). The best advice is to water the plant thoroughly on each occasion, then allow it to dry out more or less completely. During the winter resting period the compost should remain dry. Protect plant from frost. Although unlikley in the UK, natural pests include; the Bush Cricket (Acanthoplus discoidalis), the Cape Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) and the Cape Ground Squirrel (Xerus inaurus).

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Caryophyllidae
Suborder: Caryophylles
Family: Mesembryanthemaceae (or Aizoaceae)
Subfamily: Ruschioidene Schwant
Subtribe: Lithopinae Schwant
Genus: Lithops

Plants for sale
The following lithops are for sale.

L. lesliei albinica
L. aucampiae
L. salicola
L. hookeri
L. localis
L. lesliei

Our collection
To our knowledge, at the time of writing, there are between 35 and 40 recorded species of Lithops. We have around 30 different species in the office. They are mature specimens, some of which flowered this summer. A selection are below, more photo's will be added in due course;

Lithops Localis v. peersii

Further reading
Further reading should include;
lithops.info is a content rich site with an excellent photo gallery.
You wont find a better related site than; lithops.co.za