Living stones (Lithops karasmontana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Living stones on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 21 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Living stones
Lithops karasmontana, commonly known as 'living stone', is a captivating succulent native to Namibia and South Africa. Its fleshy, cloven leaves, mimicking pebbles, grow flush with the ground and can display varied patterns and colors ranging from gray to reddish. It's an ideal plant for succulent collections, desert terrariums, or as a unique decorative element in very bright indoor settings.
Native range
Namibia and South Africa
Care tips
It requires direct, bright sunlight for most of the day to maintain its coloration and compact shape. Watering should be extremely sparse; only water deeply when the leaves wrinkle slightly and the substrate is completely dry, avoiding overwatering which leads to rot. Use a very porous and well-draining substrate, specific for cacti and succulents. A common mistake is overwatering, especially during its winter dormancy or when new leaves are absorbing old ones, which is fatal for the plant.
How to save a dying Living stones
- Warning signs
- Excessive wrinkling, mushiness, discoloration (dark or whitish).
- First aid
- Remove from soil, check roots (prune rot), air dry for several days before repotting in dry, very well-draining substrate.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (especially during dormancy), water-retentive soil, or insufficient light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly before rot reaches the main body.