Lithops, the Living Stones, follow a rhythm all their own – and it does not match what most houseplants need. Especially in autumn and winter, many plant lovers make the mistake of watering their Lithops out of care. But right now the opposite is called for. In this article we explain what happens to your Living Stones in autumn and winter and how to care for them properly.
The annual rhythm of Lithops
Lithops come from the arid regions of South Africa and are perfectly adapted to long periods of drought. For us, that means: they have two rest periods a year – one in summer and one in winter. In between are phases in which the plants grow, flower or shed their old leaves. If you know this rhythm, you avoid most care mistakes.
Autumn: the flowering season
From late summer into autumn, the flowers appear from the gap between the two leaves. Depending on the species they are white or yellow and resemble small daisies. A single flower stays open only a few days; in a cooler spot it lasts a little longer. When the flower is over, the rest period begins, and from then on the plant needs no more water.
Winter: shedding the old leaves
While you seemingly see nothing in winter, a lot happens inside: a new pair of leaves grows between the old leaves. The old leaves supply water and nutrients for this and shrink in the process until only a dry, paper-like shell is left. This process is called shedding. That the plant looks wrinkled and soft during this time is completely normal – it is not a sign of thirst. If you water during this time, the new pair of leaves can burst or rot.
When to water? The care calendar
This overview helps you as a guide. Depending on the variety, location and weather, the rhythm can shift a little – the condition of your plant matters more than the calendar.
| Period | What is happening? | Water? |
|---|---|---|
| Late summer to autumn | Flower buds and flowering | Only very sparingly and only if the plant is not plump; stop after flowering |
| After flowering until about February | Winter rest, new pair of leaves grows | No |
| Late winter to spring | Old leaves shrink, shedding in progress | No, until the old shells are completely dry |
| Late spring | New pair of leaves is here, growth | Moderately and only when the substrate is dry |
| Midsummer | Summer rest | Hardly or not at all |
Rule of thumb: when in doubt, water once less. When you do water, do it at the edge of the pot so the heads of the plants stay dry. Excess water must be able to drain away completely.
Location and temperature in winter
- ☀️Very brightA south- or east-facing window is ideal. Too little light makes the plants slender and greenish.
- ❄️CoolAs a guideline, about 8 to 15 °C. Warm and dark is the worst combination.
- 🌱Frost-freeFrost makes Lithops burst and rot.
- 🪴Deep potLithops form a long taproot and therefore need sufficient depth.
A purely mineral substrate ensures that no water stays in the pot. Our Lithops Soil & Split Rock Substrate is specially mixed for this. A thin layer of fine gravel on the surface also helps to prevent rot on the plant body.
Common mistakes
- Watering because the plant looks wrinkled: In winter this is the shedding, not thirst.
- Pulling off the old shells too early: Only remove them once they are completely dry.
- Fertilizing: Lithops need no fertilizer in winter.
- Too warm, dark a spot: It promotes legginess and weakens the plant.
- Wet soil in the cold: This is the most common cause of losses.
How to get succulents in general through the cold season is covered in our article Overwintering succulents. An overview of the variety of Living Stones can be found in Lithops varieties.
Conclusion
Caring for Lithops in winter mainly means: doing nothing. No water, no fertilizer, a bright and cool spot – and patience until the new pair of leaves becomes visible in spring. If you stick to this, you will be rewarded with healthy, plump plants and a new flower next autumn. In our category Lithops you will find Living Stones in many colors and patterns, for example the Lithops Mix.
