Scientific Name
Lithops naureeniae D.T.Cole
Common Name(s)
Living Stones
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Lithops
Etymology
The specific epithet "naureeniae (nor-EEN-ee-ay)" honors Naureen A. Cole (1935), the wife and coworker of Desmond T. Cole (1922), who became involved in Lithops research in about 1947.
Origin
Lithops naureeniae is native to South Africa. It occurs southwest of Gamoep in the Northern Cape, growing between gneiss stones.
Description
Lithops naureeniae is a dwarf succulent with double wedge-shaped bodies that consist of two opposite, partly fused leaves. It can grow solitary or usually in clumps of 2 to 5 bodies. The leaves are thick, fleshy, pale grey or beige, sometimes tinged with cream, green, pink, or bronze. The upper surface of the leaves is convex, opaque to translucent, and often with large windows.
The flowers are yellow with a white center and appear from the fissure between the leaves in fall. They can reach up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care for Lithops naureeniae
Light: A sunny windowsill where the plant receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight during the early part of the day and partial shade during the afternoon is the perfect spot to grow your L. naureeniae. You may place the pot on the balcony or in the garden from spring to fall.
Soil: L. naureeniae thrives best in a growing medium that will drain quickly. Use a commercial soil mix for succulents, or make your own potting mix.
Hardiness: High temperatures are not a problem for this plant as long as there is plenty of fresh air, but it is not a cold-hardy succulent. L. naureeniae can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: Like all Lithops, this succulent has a specific yearly cycle of growth, and it is important to water only during certain stages, but it is also important to keep the soil dry at other stages of its growth. How often you need to water your L. naureeniae depends on how quickly the potting mix dries out. It is essential to let the soil dry out between waterings. Stop watering during the winter to allow the old leaf pair to dry out and the new pair to develop.
Fertilizing: L. naureeniae does not need to be fertilized. It will thrive without any feeding. If you feed, use a high potassium and low nitrogen levels fertilizer.
Repotting: This small succulent will stay in the same pot for several decades. The common reason for repotting is to divide the plant or to allow space for clusters to grow. Repot only when its growing season starts.
Propagation: L. naureeniae is most often grown from seeds. If you have a multi-headed plant, it can also be propagated by division. Sow the seeds during the summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Lithops.
Toxicity of Lithops naureeniae
L. naureeniae is non-toxic and safe to have around children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Lithops
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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