I was given three mimicry plants recently. I have so many questions. Thank you in advance for your patience with me.
I have not repotted or watered them since receiving them. I have experience with other succulents, but not like these. I’m not sure what I’m looking for concerning when they will need water.
I’m not sure what is going on between the lithop “cheeks” maybe it flowered and the flower wilted?
I understand they prefer very inorganic soil, is perlite too light? Should I wait until summer to repot them? What dimensions do they like for their pots? Will the roots have enough resistance to be strong and take hold? Do they need fresh air? Can they even be in my window sill (n. California) ? Can they all be potted together?
I know this is a lot, but the care instructions are all so general that I feel like I should just leave them alone for a few more months, but I’m not sure if that’s right either. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and help me be a better plant parent. 💚🌵
by halfscaliahalfbreyer
4 Comments
Psst.. the singular form of Lithops is still Lithop**s**! The name comes from lithos (stone) + ops (face). To quote [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithops), “The formation of the name from the Greek “-ops” means that even a single plant is called a Lithops.”
Looking for Lithops care? See our [Lithops guide here](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/mesembs_care_guides/#wiki_lithops_.28living_stones.29).
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I wouldn’t water any of them honestly. I have Lithops and the other stone plant but not the 2nd one pictured. Honestly I’d do some research because they are tricky to take care of.
The first one is Pleiospilos nelii aka split rock plant, the second is titanopsis calcarea aka concrete leaf, and the third is a lithops.
Lithops like a really inorganic mix like 80-90% grit. I put my lithops and split rocks in that. These plants have similar growing needs. Don’t water when splitting and water when wrinkled.
The concrete leaf i would do a little less gritty like 60%. I just got mine last year and I’ve only watered it a handful of times, nature has handled the other times. I’d say since these are desert plants water only when completely dried out.
Good luck on your new plants. The concrete leaf has really cute flowers when it blooms 😁
Just got my first living stone. Didn’t know what it was yet but it was so cool looking! My first concern was watering. Still trying to get more info, but a tip that made me feel a little less anxious was to check the top for slight shriveling or softening. I’m keeping a close eye on her