…other than the usual concerns with using a non-porous top dressing that is.

I got these lapis lazuli pebbles on amazon and I thought they look nice as a top dressing. I have read that lapis lazuli will dissolve in water over time so should I be concerned about them leaching anything bad into the soil below? There is only a thin layer of them over my usual 50% pumice + 50% succ potting soil.

by hhhhhhhhhenry

13 Comments

  1. butterflygirl1980

    I doubt it. Any leaching of minerals would occur very very gradually and you’d need to repot long before anything built up to problem levels.

  2. mixolydianblue

    Not relevant to your question, but that looks amazing!

  3. VicenteOlisipo

    The only downside I’m seeing here is that it might feel the stones are stopping it from growing wide at some point. But you can easily fix that by just adapting as needed.

  4. sapphiclament

    Lapis lazuli deteriorates over time and will lose it’s color and luster when exposed to water, and also can leach poisonous toxins when wet (if its mixed with pyrite which would release sulfur I think). I don’t know the strength/amount that leaks out but it could potentially poison your plant over time 🤔 I don’t know a lot about gems though so it could be fine

  5. coffee-lover66

    As long as it doesn’t keep your soil wet for too long

  6. No_Exchange7050

    Bottom water. Even without the pebbles..its the best method for succulents and your case will help preserve the pebbles as well!

  7. Important-Poem-9747

    I’ve found that rocks like this keep the soil wet for too long and the plant dies from root rot.

    It looks gorgeous, but is probably going to kill it.

  8. MaleficentTomatoes

    How beautiful! No I don’t think it should cause any problems.

  9. InstanceElectronic71

    I do this all the time with gemstone chips

  10. acm_redfox

    Just watch to be sure that the darker stones don’t cook your plant by radiating extra heat. Otherwise, might be fine. Does look spiff.

Pin