Lithops – Indoor House Plants

Lithops Commonly known as ‘living stones’, the genus of plants called Lithops is one of the most popular among collectors of cacti and succulents. As they learn more about their new pastime, it’s common for growers take a shine to one or two particular types of cactus or succulent, specialising in these plants and making them the focus of their collection. Lithops is one of the most frequently chosen genera in this respect.

Lithops are plants camouflaged as stones, a protective mechanism that keeps them safe from droughts and hungry animals. This process of evolution, known as cryptic mimicry has taken place through eons of adaptation. Lithops can also pull themselves down into the sand to prevent being dried to a crisp by African winds and sun. These strange little plants use translucent windows at the top of the plant to trap and channel sunlight to photosynthetic cells deep inside the plant, allowing it to thrive and grow without having the common leaf structure as we know it. The plant itself has the look of two flattened stones side by side, mirroring each other. Some rather humorous individuals have dubbed them “butt-rocks” due to this paired appearance. Lithops go through a dormant period during the summer requiring virtually no water until its growth period starts in early fall, when flowering will occur. Shortly thereafter new leaves will push out from between the old leaves until the old ones are completely wilted away. Growth will continue until summer when growth stops and the cycle has completed.

Scientific name: Lithops

Common name: Living stone

How to grow and maintain Lithops:

Light:

It grows extremely well in South or West facing areas due to it needing constant sunlight.

Soil:

As of now specified, Lithops incline toward free-depleting soil. Instant cactus soil can be purchased at most nurseries and garden focuses, and Lithops will develop well in it, yet they will admission surprisingly better on the off chance that you include one a player in sharp sand to two sections of cactus soil. In the event that you can’t discover pro cactus soil, you can make your own Lithops blend with one-section preparing manure, one-section peat or coir-based fertilizer (Lithops lean toward a little acidity), one-section sharp sand or grit, and one-section little broken crock pieces or gravel.

Temperature:

The Lithop is a plant that is appropriate for an extensive variety of temperatures running from 50°F to 100°F. Notwithstanding, to guarantee that the plant gets a steady and reliable temperature it is best to position it in temperatures of around 65°F – 75°F where it will flourish.

Humidity:

Normal room humidity will work fine but air circulation is advisable providing it is not directly placed near a cold draft.

Watering:

Once new leaves have developed during the summer the plant can be watered. The pot is almost left to dry out before being watered again and this generally continues through until October. However, during the height of summer it is recommended that the plant is watered a minimum of once a week but during the winter months the plant is kept dry.

Manure:

It won’t require treatment as this exclusive debilitate the tissues of the plant which can prompt to spoil.

Propagation:

It is conceivable to utilize cuttings yet this is not generally beneficial as old plants can get to be distinctly drained looking. Along these lines, it is best to engender by seed that is sown at a temperature of 66-70 °F amid the early spring.

Pests:

Another important care factor for Lithops is common pests. The most common enemy of Lithops is the mealybug, which feeds on its sap. This particular pest likes a warm, moist environment, making greenhouses particularly vulnerable. Other common enemies include caterpillars, crickets, and rodents.