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Plants / Lithops

Lithops

Lithops

Also known as: Living Stones, Pebble Plants

ðŸū Pet-safeAizoaceaeHard to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating Lithops: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

Lithops care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Bright light with several hours of direct sun; too little light makes them stretch and lose their stone shape.
💧 Water
Water very sparingly only in spring and fall; keep bone-dry while they split and form new bodies, and in peak summer/winter.
ðŸŠī Soil
Very gritty, extremely fast-draining mineral mix.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Low humidity; dry air is ideal.
ðŸū Toxicity
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (per ASPCA).

Track your lithops cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

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How to propagate Lithops

Seed

Difficulty: HardTimeline: Germinates in 1-4 weeks; takes years to reach full size.
  1. Sprinkle fine seed on top of gritty, mineral mix.
  2. Mist to settle and keep barely moist and warm until germination.
  3. Give bright light immediately and reduce watering as seedlings establish.
  4. Grow on very slowly; lithops are almost always started from seed.

Common Lithops problems & fixes

Shriveled, wrinkled leaves

Underwatering — give a thorough soak and let it drain fully, then wait until the soil is bone dry.

Mushy, translucent leaves or stems

Overwatering and rot. Cut back watering, repot into a gritty fast-draining mix, and remove any rotted roots.

Stretched, pale growth

Too little light (etiolation). Move to bright, direct light; behead and re-root the stretched top to reset a compact shape.

Track your lithops cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.