Living stones Lithops pseudotruncatella

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The common name for Lithops pseudotruncatella is Living Stones. This intriguing plant closely resembles the appearance of small, rounded stones or pebbles. The main visible parts of the plant are its fleshy leaves, which are usually found in pairs. Each leaf is thick and swollen, often grey to brownish in coloration, with a texture or pattern that mimics the rocks among which it grows, providing excellent camouflage. These leaves may have various shades and marblings, including green, grey, brown, pink, or blue tones, and often feature irregular dots, lines, or patches, contributing to their stone-like appearance. Living Stones have a distinctive, split top surface that may resemble the crack of a stone. This fissure is where the plant's new leaves and flowers emerge. The flowers are daisy-like in appearance, usually yellow or white, and emerge from the center between the leaves. They bloom during the cooler months, providing a stark contrast to the stone-like appearance of the fleshy leaves. When the plant produces new leaves, the old ones gradually wither away, making room for the new growth. This plant's ability to blend in with surrounding rocks and its stone-like aesthetic are its most captivating traits. It thrives in well-drained soil with minimal water, resembling the arid environments it originates from.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Aizoaceae.
- Synonyms
  Living Stones, Pebble Plants, Flowering Stones, Mimicry Plants.
- Common names
  Lithops pseudotruncatella subsp. groendrayensis, Lithops groendrayensis.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Living stones, also known as Lithops pseudotruncatella, are generally considered non-toxic to humans. Therefore, ingestion of this plant typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse health effects. However, as with any non-food item, consuming plant material could potentially cause discomfort or a mild stomach upset. Nonetheless, the primary use of Living stones is ornamental, and they are not intended for human consumption.
- To pets
  Living stones, the common name for Lithops pseudotruncatella, are typically not toxic to pets. Ingestion of this plant should not cause serious illness or poisoning in animals such as cats and dogs. However, if a pet were to ingest a large amount of plant material, it might experience mild gastrointestinal upset due to the consumption of a non-dietary item, but no specific toxic effects are expected. It is always prudent to monitor pets around plants and discourage them from chewing on any non-food plants to avoid any potential issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Varies
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Spread
  1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Plant type
  Succulent
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative appeal: Living stones offer unique and intriguing shapes and textures, resembling small stones or pebbles, that can add visual interest to any room or garden.
- Drought tolerance: Being succulents, they are extremely water-efficient and require minimal watering, making them ideal for arid climates or forgetful gardeners.
- Low maintenance: Lithops pseudotruncatella requires little care beyond occasional watering and can thrive with minimal attention or intervention.
- Small footprint: Their compact size makes living stones perfect for small spaces, windowsills, terrariums, or miniature gardens.
- Educational value: They can be used to teach about adaptation and survival strategies of plants in harsh environments.
- Long lifespan: With proper care, living stones can live for many years, making them a long-term addition to one's collection of plants.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Lithops pseudotruncatella, commonly known as Living Stones, can be used as a teaching tool for botany and adaptation, illustrating how plants can evolve to mimic their environment to avoid predation.
- They are often employed in miniature gardening and fairy gardens due to their small size and intriguing appearance, adding a whimsical touch to these tiny landscapes.
- Living Stones are popular in photography, especially macro photography, as their unique textures and patterns make for compelling subjects that resemble alien landscapes.
- These plants can be used as a natural art installation in homes and offices, providing an interesting visual piece that sparks conversation.
- Lithops pseudotruncatella can serve as a biological indicator for over-watering in mixed succulent collections, as they are sensitive to excessive moisture.
- They are used in cognitive therapy settings to help patients develop patience and attentiveness through the careful and mindful care of these slow-growing plants.
- In educational settings, Living Stones can be used for long-term experiments to teach students about drought tolerance and water storage in plants.
- As an element in specialty crafts, such as creating plant-based jewelry or decorations where the plant's distinctive appearance can be showcased.
- Collectors of unusual plants often use Lithops pseudotruncatella to compete in horticultural shows, focusing on the cultivation challenges and aesthetic presentation of the species.
- They can be used culturally in some regions as a symbol of resilience and perseverance, given their ability to thrive in harsh, arid environments.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Lithops, also known as Living Stones, is not commonly used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Living Stones is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Resilience: The Living Stones thrive in harsh, arid environments, exemplifying the ability to persist and adapt to challenging conditions.
- Patience: Lithops grow slowly and teach patience through their meticulous growth cycle and long periods of dormancy.
- Conservation: These plants are water-wise, symbolizing the importance of conserving resources and sustainability.
- Self-reliance: As succulents, Living Stones have adapted to store water, representing the quality of self-sufficiency.
- Uniqueness: With their stone-like appearance, they remind us to embrace our uniqueness and the beauty of being different.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Water the Living Stones infrequently, mirroring their natural arid habitat. Generally, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering, which often translates to about once every 2-3 weeks during the growing season and even less during winter, when they enter a dormancy period. When you do water, do so thoroughly, allowing water to run through the drainage holes in the pot, equivalent to about 1-2 ounces for small pots. Cut back watering to once a month or less in winter, ensuring you do not water when the plant is splitting or producing new leaves, as excess moisture can cause rot.
Light
Living Stones thrive in bright light with some direct sunlight. They prefer a sunny windowsill where they can receive around 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, be cautious of too much intense, direct sun in summer months which can scorch the plants, so a light shade might be necessary during the hottest part of the day.
Temperature
The ideal temperature conditions for Living Stones are between 65°F and 80°F. They can survive temperature extremes from as low as 40°F to as high as 100°F, but should not be exposed to frost. To mimic their natural environment, they thrive in warm conditions with good air ventilation, so ensure they're not in a drafty area.
Pruning
Pruning is generally not required for Living Stones, as they do not grow in the traditional sense with branches and leaves that require shaping. Removal of the old leaf pairs may be necessary as the new leaf pairs emerge and the old ones begin to shrivel. This typically occurs once a year, and it's best performed by gently pulling away the dead material once it has become dry and papery.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Living Stones (common name for Lithops pseudotruncatella) is fast-draining with a pH around 5.5 to 6.5. A common recipe is a mix of half potting soil and half sand or perlite. It is important that the soil doesn't retain moisture to mimic their natural arid environment and prevent root rot.
Repotting
Living Stones should be repotted every few years or when they outgrow their pot. It is best to repot them at the end of their dormancy period, during late summer or early fall. This allows them to settle in their new pot before the growing season starts.
Humidity & Misting
Living Stones prefer low humidity levels, typical of their native desert habitat. Avoid high humidity environments to prevent fungal infections and rot. Ideal humidity levels would be those found in an average home, not exceeding 40-50%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Living Stones in bright light, minimal water.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, low water.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Lithops pseudotruncatella, commonly known as Split Rock or Living Stones, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in the moist soil during the fall or early winter. The seedlings develop a pair of succulent leaves, which form the characteristic 'stone-like' appearance, adapted for water storage during drought conditions. In the first few years, the plant will only produce new pairs of leaves, with the older leaves drying up as the new pair takes over. Typically, the Split Rock reaches flowering maturity after a few years, producing daisy-like flowers from the cleft between leaves, primarily in the fall. After pollination, the flowers produce small capsules containing tiny seeds that are released as the capsule dries and opens. This slow-growing plant can live for several decades, producing new leaf pairs and flowering annually under the right conditions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Propogation: Lithops pseudotruncatella, commonly known as living stones, is often propagated by seeds, as this is the most popular method. The best time to sow the seeds is in the late summer or early fall when temperatures are moderate. To propagate by seeds, scatter them on the surface of a well-draining cactus mix, then lightly cover them with a fine layer of sand or the same soil mixture. The container should be kept in a warm place with indirect light. Watering should be minimal, just enough to keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet, until seedlings appear, which can take a few weeks to a month. Once the seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves and have grown large enough to handle, they can be gently transplanted into their own containers.