Lithops, commonly referred to as living stones or pebble plants, are a genus of small, succulent plants native to the arid regions of Southern Africa. They are renowned for their unique adaptation where they mimic the appearance of rocks or pebbles in their environment, providing an excellent camouflage against herbivores. Each plant consists of a pair of thick, fleshy leaves that grow almost entirely beneath the soil surface, with just the top exposed, which is often translucent or has windows to allow light penetration for photosynthesis. Their deceptive appearance and minimal size make them a fascinating choice for succulent collectors and enthusiasts of exotic plants.
The lifecycle of Lithops is particularly interesting; they grow new leaves annually, usually in the fall, which push up from between the old leaves, eventually causing them to wither away. This process not only renews the plant but also allows it to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Flowers emerge from the fissure between the leaves, typically in late summer or early autumn, and are daisy-like, coming in shades of yellow, white, or occasionally orange. These blooms are relatively large compared to the plant’s size, offering a stark contrast to the stony exterior. Lithops require very little water, thriving in conditions of neglect rather than over-care, which makes them ideal for those looking for low-maintenance plants.
Cultivating Lithops successfully involves understanding their natural habitat’s conditions – extreme heat, intense sunlight, and minimal, seasonal rainfall. They need well-draining soil, often a mix of sand, gravel, and a small amount of organic matter, to mimic the rocky, arid environments they come from. Watering should be sparse, only during their active growth periods, and completely withheld during dormancy to prevent root rot. Their deceptive simplicity and the challenge they present in care make Lithops not only a visual delight but also an engaging study in horticultural patience and minimalism.
Lithops aucampiae
This species is known for its brown to reddish-brown bodies with translucent windows in yellowish to reddish-brown patterns. The leaves are often kidney-shaped with a smooth or slightly rough texture. It’s one of the more widespread Lithops, adapting well to cultivation, producing large heads and yellow flowers.
Lithops hookeri
Recognized for its smooth, almost glossy surface, L. hookeri has a wide variety of colors from green to grey with intricate patterns. It grows in clumps, and its flowers are yellow or white, blooming in late fall or early winter.
Lithops karasmontana
This species showcases a diverse array of colors, from green to pink and grey, often with distinctive markings. It’s found in Namibia and has a flat to slightly convex top, with some varieties nearly mimicking the surrounding quartz outcrops.
Lithops lesliei
Native to Botswana, this species is famous for its wide color range, including shades of green, brown, and red. They have a particularly low profile, making them hard to spot in nature, and their flowers can be yellow or occasionally white.
Lithops optica
Known for its highly reflective, almost mirror-like windows, L. optica has leaves that can appear nearly transparent. The surface often has a pattern of red lines, giving it a striking appearance. It blooms with white or yellow flowers.
Lithops julii
This species is notable for its bold, often bright patterns of pink, yellow, or blue on a grey or green background. The flowers are yellow, and the plant has a heart-shaped profile when viewed from above.
Lithops bromfieldii
Characterized by its rough, pebble-like surface with channels, islands, and sometimes red markings, this species comes in shades of brown and grey. The flowers are typically yellow and emerge from the leaf fissure.
Lithops hallii
This type has a very distinctive look with its narrow, elongated body and a deep central fissure. The colors are usually in shades of green with darker window markings, and it produces yellow flowers.
Lithops pseudotruncatella
With its truncated shape, L. pseudotruncatella resembles the flat end of a cut log. It has a variety of colors, often with a bluish or greyish hue and intricate patterns on the surface. Flowers are white or yellow.
Lithops dinteri
Known for its small, almost perfectly round leaves with a smooth or slightly rough surface, this species has a variety of colors from brown to green. The flowers are yellow, and the plant has adapted to grow in very arid conditions.
Lithops verruculosa
This species is distinct due to its small, shiny red verruculae or pimples on the face of the leaves, which give it a unique texture. The colors range from pale creamy brown to pink or green, and it blooms with yellow flowers.
Lithops dorotheae
Named after Dorothea, this Lithops species features greyish-green or blue-green leaves, often patterned with reddish-brown dots or lines. It produces small, daisy-like flowers in white or yellow, blooming in the fall.
Lithops gracilidelineata
This species features very slender, almost thread-like patterns on its surface, giving it a unique, almost delicate look. Colors range from green to brown with intricate lines in lighter or darker shades. It produces yellow flowers that emerge from the leaf fissure in late summer to early fall.
Lithops olivacea
Known for its olive-green to grey-green coloration with a smooth, sometimes slightly rough texture, L. olivacea has a more subdued appearance compared to some other species. Its flowers are yellow, and it’s particularly noted for its ability to blend into its environment.
Lithops meyeri
This species stands out with its dark, almost black windows with contrasting white or light markings. The leaves are generally oval to heart-shaped with a matte finish. It flowers produce yellow blooms, making a stark contrast against its dark body.
Lithops werneri
Characterized by its small, compact form and vivid red or pink patterns on a green or grey background, L. werneri is particularly eye-catching. The plant’s surface can be smooth or slightly rough, and it blooms with yellow flowers.
Lithops schwantesii
Named after the botanist who studied succulents, this Lithops has a large, almost circular shape with a rough, pebbly texture. It varies in color from green to brown with contrasting patterns. Flowers are yellow, and the plant thrives in very arid conditions.
Lithops comptonii
This species has a unique, almost metallic sheen to its leaves, which can be green, grey, or brown with a complex patterning of darker lines or spots. The flowers are white, making a beautiful contrast against the body’s coloration.
Lithops marmorata
As the name suggests, L. marmorata has a marbled appearance with swirls of grey, brown, and sometimes pink. The leaves are slightly convex with a smooth surface. It blooms with yellow flowers, typically in the fall.
Lithops herrei
Known for its deep green to almost black leaves with contrasting light windows, this species has a very distinctive look. The plants are small and grow in tight clusters, blooming with yellow flowers that seem to glow against the dark foliage.
Lithops vallis-mariae
This species features a somewhat elongated shape with a smooth to slightly rough texture, often in shades of grey or green with intricate, lighter patterns. The flowers are yellow, and it’s named after the ‘Valley of Mary’ where it was discovered.
Lithops terricolor
With earth-toned colors like browns, reds, and greens, this Lithops mimics the soil and rocks of its habitat exceptionally well. It has a rough texture and produces yellow flowers, contributing to its camouflage when not in bloom.
Lithops ruschiorum
This species is known for its broad, flat-topped leaves that resemble large pebbles, often with a smooth, shiny appearance. The colors range from grey to green with red or brown markings. It blooms with white or yellow flowers, adding to its charm.
Lithops naureeniae
Discovered relatively late, this species has a unique patterning with pink to red dots on a green or grey background, giving it a speckled look. Its leaves are somewhat elongated, and it produces yellow flowers, making it a beautiful addition to any collection.
Lithops fulviceps
This species is notable for its reddish-orange to brownish color with a smooth or slightly rough texture. The leaves have a distinctive pattern, often with lighter windows for photosynthesis. It blooms with yellow flowers, enhancing its already vibrant appearance.
Lithops localis
Known for its local variation, this species can have a wide range of colors from green to grey with intricate patterns. It has a relatively flat top with a smooth to slightly rough surface. Yellow flowers emerge from the fissure between the leaves.
Lithops geyeri
Characterized by its small size and grey-green to brown bodies with fine, intricate lines, this species blends into its rocky habitat seamlessly. The windows can appear almost transparent, allowing light to penetrate for photosynthesis. Flowers are yellow.
Lithops divergens
This species features leaves that diverge from each other, giving the plant a more open look. It’s commonly green or grey with lighter or darker markings. The flowers are yellow, and the plant’s growth habit makes it a unique specimen among Lithops.
Lithops viridis
As the name suggests, L. viridis has a predominantly green appearance, often with a smooth surface and patterns in lighter green or yellow. This species is particularly striking for its uniform coloration and produces yellow flowers.
Lithops gesinae
Known for its small, almost heart-shaped leaves with a smooth texture, this species varies in color from green to brown, often with a distinctive window. It blooms with yellow flowers, contributing to its delicate charm.
Lithops villetii
Named after its discoverer, this species has a more elongated shape with a rough texture, often in shades of green or grey with contrasting markings. The yellow flowers add a splash of color, especially noticeable against the plant’s more subdued tones.
Lithops francisci
This Lithops is characterized by its deep green to grey-green leaves with a pattern of red or brown lines, creating a mosaic-like effect. Its small size and the intricate patterning make it a collector’s favorite, blooming with yellow flowers.
Lithops coleorum
Named after the Cole family, who were significant in the study of Lithops, this species has a smooth, grey-green or brown surface with distinctive dark lines or dots. Its yellow flowers are a highlight, contrasting beautifully with the body color.
Lithops helmutii
This species has a very flat profile, often in shades of brown or green with lighter windows for photosynthesis. It’s known for its resistance to extreme conditions, and its yellow flowers add to its aesthetic appeal.
Lithops halliorum
Similar to L. hallii but with subtle differences, this species has a narrow, elongated shape with a deep central fissure. The color palette includes greens and greys with intricate patterns, and it blooms with yellow flowers.
Lithops bromfieldii var. insularis
A variety of L. bromfieldii, this one is noted for its island-like distribution. It has a rough, pebbly texture in shades of brown to green, with yellow flowers that enhance its camouflaged appearance in its natural habitat.
Lithops werneri var. peeri
A variant of L. werneri, this species features a more subdued color palette with lighter greens and browns, often with less pronounced patterning. It keeps the same small, compact form, blooming with yellow flowers that provide a nice contrast to its foliage.
Lithops aucampiae var. euniceae
This variety of L. aucampiae is noted for its slightly more elongated shape and a smoother texture than the typical species. The coloration can vary from reddish-brown to green with translucent windows. It blooms with yellow flowers, adding to the diversity seen within this species.
Lithops karasmontana var. lericheana
Known for its exceptional camouflage among stones, this variety has leaves that are more rounded and less patterned than the typical L. karasmontana. The colors lean towards greens and greys with minimal markings, making it a subtle yet beautiful addition to any collection, with yellow flowers.
Lithops meyeri var. meyeri
This variety retains the dark, almost black windows with white or light markings characteristic of the species but might show slight variations in the intensity of color or pattern. The leaves are oval to heart-shaped, with yellow flowers emerging from the central fissure.
Lithops pseudotruncatella var. albida
Differentiated by its lighter, almost white body with fine, delicate patterns, this variety of L. pseudotruncatella stands out for its subtle beauty. It maintains the truncated shape but with a lighter touch, blooming with white or yellow flowers.
Lithops gracilidelineata var. brandbergensis
This variety is found in a specific region and is noted for its particularly thin, almost spidery lines on a green to brown background. The leaves are slightly elongated, and the plant produces yellow flowers, complementing its intricate design.