Scientific Name
Lithops optica 'Rubra'
Common Name(s)
Living Stones
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Lithops
Description
Lithops optica 'Rubra' is a beautiful succulent with bodies that consist of two opposite leaves with ruby milky pink sides and a light to dark ruby-red window on the top surface. The obconical, almost club-shaped bodies are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Each body will produce a white flower, sometimes with pink tips. The flowers are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and appear in fall. They open early on sunny days and then close later in the day.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These plants develop a new set of leaves every year, with new leaves emerging in the fall and growing through the winter and into the summer. Lithops will go dormant in late summer, and water should be severely restricted to prevent bursting leaves. The flowers appear near the end of summer or fall, first showing up as a small bud forcing its way between the leaves, and growth will begin again. It's safe to water during this period. The leaves will still grow into the winter, but you should stop watering, even as the older leaves shrivel and encase the new growth. In the spring, it's safe to begin lightly watering again as the plant starts to grow back, heading toward its summer dormancy period and the emergence of new leaves in the fall.
Lithops are very slow-growing, small plants, making them ideal as houseplants (once you get the hang of their watering schedule). Older plants form attractive clumps of "pebbles" in their pots, which are highly prized. In general, plants should only be repotted if there are cultural problems (soggy soil) or the plant has outgrown its dish container, which will only happen every several years.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Lithops.
Origin
This succulent is a cultivar of Lithops optica.
Links
- Back to genus Lithops
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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