Say it: LITH-ops (singular and plural). Common names: living stones, pebble plants, flowering stones. Not a cactus — a succulent in the ice plant family.
Where it grows
Dry regions of southern Africa: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Each species is camouflaged to match the gravel of its home ground, which is how a plant with no spines survives grazing animals.
Size and growth
A pair of fused, fleshy leaves split by a slot, sitting almost flush with the soil, usually an inch or two across. Over the years a plant forms a small cluster of heads. Growth works in a cycle: each year a new pair of leaves forms inside the old pair and draws the water out of it, and the old leaves shrivel to papery husks.
Flowers
Daisy-like white or yellow flowers push up through the slot in fall, often as wide as the plant. Mature plants flower every year once settled.
Care
Lithops are easy if you follow their cycle and hard if you don't. The rule: don't water while the old leaves are being absorbed, usually late winter to spring. Water lightly in late spring and summer when the plant looks slightly wrinkled, a little more in fall around flowering, and not at all in winter. Give very bright light and a mostly mineral mix. Keep above about 40°F.
From seed
Easy, and the seedlings are charming. Germination in 7–21 days. Unlike adults, seedlings need to stay lightly moist for their first several months; switch to adult watering only after their first leaf change. Our mix includes assorted species and hybrids, so every tray gives a range of colors and patterns.