Living stones (Lithops localis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Living stones on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 20 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Living stones
Lithops localis, commonly known as 'living stones' or 'stone plants', are captivating succulents belonging to the Aizoaceae family, native to South Africa. Their mimetic appearance, resembling small rocks or pebbles, allows them to camouflage perfectly in their desert environment. They are ideal plants for succulent collectors, desert terrariums, or to add a touch of botanical curiosity to any sunny space.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
They require direct and intense sunlight for most of the day for optimal growth and proper flowering. Watering should be extremely limited; only when the plant appears wrinkled or 'thirsty' and always during its growing season (autumn-early spring), completely avoiding watering in summer and when the plant is 'splitting' or shedding leaves. Use a very well-draining substrate, composed mainly of inorganic materials such as pumice, akadama, or gravel, with very little organic matter. The most common mistake is overwatering, which leads to plant rot.
How to save a dying Living stones
- Warning signs
- Deep wrinkles and flaccidity (underwatering), soft dark spots (overwatering).
- First aid
- If wrinkled, soak pot 15min; if soft, remove, clean roots, dry 1-2 days before repotting in dry substrate.
- What kills it
- Overwatering outside its natural cycle (autumn-winter for this species). Substrate retains moisture.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act fast. Rot progresses quickly, but dehydration is more recoverable.