Living stones (Lithops aucampiae)
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 aucampiae, commonly known as 'living stones', are captivating succulents that mimic the rocks of their natural habitat in South Africa. Their fleshy, almost fused leaves form a pair of lobes protruding from the ground, with patterns and colors ranging from greenish-brown to reddish. They are ideal for desert terrariums, succulent collections, or as curious accents in individual pots.
Native range
South Africa (primarily Northern Cape province)
Care tips
They require direct, intense sunlight for most of the day to maintain their compact growth and coloration. Watering should be extremely limited; only when the older leaves have been reabsorbed and new ones are well-formed (typically in autumn and winter), completely avoiding water during their summer dormancy period. Use a very porous substrate with excellent drainage, such as a cactus and succulent mix with plenty of coarse sand or perlite. The biggest mistake is overwatering, which quickly leads to rot.
How to save a dying Living stones
- Warning signs
- Deep wrinkles or limpness (underwatering); soft spots or rot (overwatering). If it splits, it's rot.
- First aid
- If wrinkled, soak pot for 1 hour. If soft/rotten, remove immediately, cut affected parts. Air dry for 1-2 weeks.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, especially outside its growth cycle. Soil retaining too much moisture. Lack of sun.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act fast. If rot hasn't reached the core or main roots, there's still hope.