Lithops Living Stones Live Cactus
Product details
| Management number | 250424507 | Release Date | 2026/09/17 | List Price | US$5.60 | Model Number | 250424507 | ||
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- Description
- Lithops Living Stones Live Cactus Care Guide
- FAQ/Common Issues
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Lithops, also called Living Stones, is a stone-mimicry succulent native to the arid deserts of southern Africa. This drought-tolerant cactus evolved to resemble pebbles and rocks as camouflage against grazing animals. Lithops has captivated plant collectors for decades.
The plant consists of two thick, fleshy leaves fused together into a compact, pebble-like body, typically forest green with intricate patterned markings across the flat top surface. Each specimen stays low and upright, rarely exceeding an inch or two above the soil line.
A single daisy-like flower emerges from the split between the two leaves, typically blooming in autumn or early winter and often carrying a light, sweet fragrance. Flowering requires a nighttime temperature drop, so positioning it near a cooler window in fall encourages blooms. The plant needs a dormant winter period to trigger this annual flower cycle.
The slow growth habit—adding just one new body pair per year—makes it a satisfying long-term collector plant. It develops surprisingly deep roots, so use a heavy pot with excellent drainage and a shallow depth. Move it outside in summer to a bright, sheltered spot, but cover it from rain and bring it indoors before temperatures drop. You can leave it up to ten days without water. This pet-safe succulent is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
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Lithops Living Stones Live Cactus grows well in bright indirect light and can scorch in harsh south-facing windows during peak summer.
Water it sparingly, roughly every two to three weeks in summer and almost not at all in winter during dormancy.
Lithops does best in a gritty, fast-draining cactus and perlite mix that prevents moisture from sitting at the roots.
It prefers temperatures between 65-80°F and should be kept away from air conditioning vents and heater drafts.
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Lithops is a slow grower and needs no regular fertilizing.
It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, tolerating lows down to around 25-30°F with excellent drainage and dry conditions. It grows outdoors year-round in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi, as well as coastal Oregon. In warmer pockets of New Mexico, Arkansas, and along the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia, it can summer outside successfully if brought indoors before hard frost and covered from heavy rain.
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Q: Is Lithops Living Stones Live Cactus pet friendly?
A: It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Q: What does the plant look like when it needs water?
A: Lithops Living Stones Live Cactus appears slightly wrinkled or wilted when thirsty.
Q: Why do the leaves on Lithops turn yellow?
A: Yellowing usually signals overwatering, the most common mistake with this drought-tolerant succulent. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings and ensure the pot drains freely.
Q: How fast does it grow?
A: Lithops is slow, adding just one new body pair per year under healthy conditions.
Q: How do I propagate Living Stones?
A: Division works best when a clump naturally splits and produces multiple heads over several years. Seed propagation is also possible but very slow.
Q: Can this succulent be grown outdoors?
A: Living Stones can be moved outside in summer to a bright, sheltered location, but cover it from rain and bring it back inside before autumn temperatures drop.
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