Scientific Name
Lithops helmutii L. Bolus
Common Name(s)
Living Stones
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Lithops
Description
Lithops steineckeana is a small succulent with pairs of fleshy leaves fused in heart-shaped bodies. It grows up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide. The leaves are pale grey, buff- or cream-colored, tinged with pink, pale yellow, or light orange-brown, sometimes flushed with more intense orange-brown around the margins.
The flowers are golden yellow, daisy-like, and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter.
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. Heading into the winter, the leaves will still be growing, but you should stop watering, even as the older leaves shrivel up and encase the new growth. In the spring, it's safe to begin lightly watering again as the plant begins to grow again, 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
Lithops steineckeana was discovered among seedlings grown in the Steinecke Nursery near Stuttgart in Germany and has never been found in the wild.
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
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
