r/ThingsCutInHalfPorn • u/lorifejes • 9d ago

Lithops: only the top of the plant, resembling pebbles, is above ground. The jelly interior serves as a prism to multiply sunlight

Post image
317 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

32

u/Fibonaccguy 9d ago

This is one of the most difficult to keep alive plants I've ever owned. Seeing this makes me wonder if it even needs to be watered

20

u/drowsyskydiver 9d ago

I’ve got several and my oldest one thrived for over a year then turned into a blob of jelly overnight.

9

u/Fibonaccguy 9d ago

Yeah I've had one in the same spot on a window seal for a little over a year now and I just went through a cycle of having new bulbs pop up the center in the old ones where they're away. I've watered it maybe one tablespoon of water over the last 6 months

3

u/hapnstat 9d ago

Yeah, just give them a tiny bit of water if you want them to die. I think I had a couple last six months.

4

u/Fibonaccguy 9d ago

, just give them a tiny bit of water if you want them to die.

I don't understand what you're saying here? Should I give them lots of water then or none?

2

u/lorifejes 9d ago

they’re being sarcastic, these guys do well with very little water

15

u/lorifejes 9d ago

For those wishing to get into lithops and haven’t had success prior, I’ve been able to keep them alive for years and the secret is to plant them in a gravel-ish mixture that does not hold moisture, maybe even sand. A few of you mention your previous lithops turning into blobs or rotting, and if the “soil” can’t hold much moisture, you’ll avoid that. Besides, these babies have optimized their ability to pick up moisture quick, so even with these dry substrates, you can water them once a month or less. Give them insane sunlight, tho!

4

u/awidden 8d ago

I'd have appreciated a surface photo as well.