Living stone plants are the miniature rock stars of any succulent collection.
Translucent windows on the top of the leaf allow light in for photosynthesis.
The patterns on these windows vary by species and enhance the pebble appearance.
Credit:tylim / Getty Images
The leaves come in shades of gray, green, yellow, brown, and magenta.
Living stones make highly collectible houseplants that fit easily on any window sill.
They are hardy inUSDA Zones10-11 and should never be allowed to freeze.
In most U.S. areas, these succulents are grown as houseplants.
Others prefer to grow each species or variety in a separate pot.
These succulents grow slowly and methodically.
Do not expect rapid growth, and dont be surprised if they form a tight clump as time passes.
They rarely need to be repotted and are generally best left alone.
Soil and Water
Grow living stone plants in afast-draining, gritty soil mixturewith low organic matter.
Soil that holds water will lead to rot and insect pests.
The leaves of living stones are adapted to store water.
Thisplant is drought-tolerantand can survive months with no rain in the wild.
Water the plant every two weeks during the late spring into summer.
The plant goes dormant in midsummer.
Stop watering while the plant is dormant.
This is usually when the plant flowers.
The plant goes dormant once again in winter.
Avoid watering altogether in winter.
The old pair of leaves dries out, and new leaves emerge in spring.
Resume watering when the old leaves have dried and new leaves have emerged.
This reduces dampness near the leaves, which helps prevent rot.
If outdoor temperatures regularly dip below 50F, grow them as a houseplant or in a greenhouse.
Fertilizer
Living stones require little to no fertilizer.
They usually get enough nutrients from the potting mix they grow in.
Never fertilize while the plant is dormant.
Pruning
These plants do not need to be pruned.
Always use a very fast-draining soil mix.
Living stones rarely need to be repotted.
They can survive for many years or even decades in the same vessel.
The best time to repot them is at the beginning of the active growing season.
Pests and Problems
Most problems with living stones have one cause: too much water.
Excessive moisture in the soil will lead to root rot.
Plants become mushy, soft, and pale in color.
If a plant is rotting, remove it from the potting mix and dispose of the old soil.
Wash off the roots with lukewarm water, removing any of the remaining potting mix.
Thenrepot the plantin a slightly moistened, fast-draining potting mix with minimal organic matter.
Stop watering and allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Lightly press the seeds into the soil, but do not cover them.
They need light to germinate.
Germination can occur in as little as seven days but may take months.
Some seeds germinate up to a year later.
Cover the freshly sown pot with a plastic bag and keep it covered until you see germination.
Then, remove the plastic bag.
Mist the seedlings daily for the first year and continue to water from below every two weeks.
Keep the seeds and young seedlings at 65-75F.
Transplant seedlings into separate pots after 12-18 months.
Division
As living stones mature, they begin to divide and form clumps.
Clumps can be separated, and individual plants can be repotted.
It may be difficult for the plant to recover, and you may lose some divisions.
Repot the plants just slightly above the soil line and keep the potting mix lightly damp but not soaked.
New roots should appear in one to four weeks.
Although Rose of Texas is not the only pink-flowering variety, it is rare.
The daisy-like flower is a pale yellowish-white.
Albinica
The leaves ofLithops lesliei Albinica are mottled yellow and green.
This plant produces 2-inch wide, white flowers each fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most living stones dont bloom until they are about 3-4 years old.
After that, they usually bloom each year, beginning in midsummer or early fall.
Living stones need a lot of sunlight.
If plants dont get enough light, they begin to stretch out in a process called etiolation.
The plant is reaching for more light.
Move the plant to a sunnier area or use a grow light to increase the light it receives.
Increase the amount of light slowly over a few weeks.
Drastic changes in lighting conditions can damage the plant.
The plant will take a few growth cycles to return to normal.
