🌿 Baby Lithops Care Guide
(Living Stones — Lithops Species & Varieties)
Lithops, commonly known as Living Stones, are fascinating miniature succulents that mimic rocks in their natural desert habitat. They are highly sought-after collector plants, loved for their unique appearance and seasonal growth cycle.
Baby Lithops are slow-growing and require very careful watering — less is always more.
🌞 Light
Require very bright light to thrive
Best in a bright windowsill with gentle direct sun
Low light will cause stretching and poor growth
Introduce direct sun gradually to prevent scorching
✨ Tip: Bright light is essential for compact shape and strong colour.
💧 Watering
Lithops have a very specific watering cycle.
Water only when soil is completely dry
During active growth (spring/autumn), water lightly every few weeks
Do not water during splitting (when new leaves form inside old ones)
Water very sparingly in winter
⚠️ Overwatering is the most common cause of Lithops failure — they rot easily.
✨ Tip: If unsure, don’t water. Lithops store water in their leaves.
🌱 Soil
Lithops require an extremely free-draining mineral mix.
Ideal mix includes:
Cactus/succulent soil
Extra pumice or perlite
Coarse sand or grit
Soil should be gritty and fast-draining, not rich or organic.
🪴 Pot Size
Use a small, shallow pot with excellent drainage
Terracotta pots are ideal
Avoid oversized pots, as soil stays wet too long
Lithops prefer snug, dry conditions.
🌡 Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature: 18–28°C
Protect from frost or temperatures below 10°C
Prefer low humidity and good airflow
Avoid overly humid indoor environments
✨ Tip: Lithops thrive in bright, dry, airy spaces.
🌿 Fertilizer
Lithops require minimal feeding
Optional: cactus fertilizer at ¼ strength once or twice during growth season
Do not fertilize in winter
Too much fertilizer can harm Lithops.
🍂 Seasonal Growth Cycle Note
Lithops follow a natural yearly rhythm:
Autumn: Active growth + flowering
Winter: Resting
Spring: Leaf splitting (no watering!)
Summer: Dormancy (very little water)
✨ Tip: Understanding their cycle is the key to long-term success.
✂️ General Maintenance
Do not mist or water from above
Keep dry debris away from the plant to prevent rot
Avoid frequent handling
Ensure plenty of airflow
Lithops thrive on neglect more than attention.
🐛 Pests to Watch For
Lithops are generally pest-resistant, but may occasionally attract:
Mealybugs
Fungus gnats if soil stays too wet
Inspect regularly and keep conditions dry.
⚠️ Pet Safety
Lithops are generally considered non-toxic, but it’s best to keep all plants out of reach of pets.
📦 Postage & Shipping Information
All plants are carefully prepared and packaged to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition.
Orders are lovingly packed and dispatched on Mondays only, to help ensure they arrive before the following weekend, as our shop is closed on Tuesdays.
To ensure same-week dispatch, orders must be placed by midnight Sunday.
If Monday falls on a public holiday, dispatch will not take place until the following Monday. While we always do our best to send orders promptly, should any unexpected lengthy delays occur, we’ll be in touch to let you know.
Shipping Options
Bare Root Shipping (Most Economical Option):
Soil is mostly removed to reduce weight, and roots are wrapped in either sphagnum moss or damp shredded paper.
Potted Shipping (Where Possible):
Plants may be sent in their original nursery pots with soil intact. Shipping is calculated by weight, making this option more expensive, however plants will arrive less stressed with no need to pot them up on arrival.
Simply select your preferred shipping method at checkout.
Please note: Due to plant import restrictions, we are only able to ship to WA, NT, or TAS if prior arrangements have been made.
🌿 Pick Up Available
Pick up is also available from:
DESERT JUNGLE PLANT CO
2/34 Wollongong Street
Fyshwick ACT
Opening Hours:
Wednesday–Friday: 10am–5pm
Saturday: 10am–4pm
🌿 Disclaimer
Please note: All images are for reference only. We try to provide an image for each product that shows what a mature specimen may look like, as well as examples of the plants you will receive.
The plant you receive will be a healthy specimen selected from the best available stock at the time of picking. As each plant is unique, size, shape, and colour may vary slightly from the reference photos shown.