Lithops, often called “butt plants” due to their unique appearance, are captivating succulents known as “living stones.” These plants mimic stones, blending with their environment. They are intriguing additions to any plant collection.
Understanding Butt Plants
Lithops are native to arid Southern Africa, thriving in harsh, dry environments. Their stone-like appearance serves as camouflage, blending with surrounding rocks and sand. This mimicry protects them from herbivores.
These plants exhibit a unique growth cycle: the renewal of their two succulent leaves. New leaves emerge from a fissure between older leaves. As new leaves grow, they absorb water and nutrients from the old ones, causing outer leaves to shrivel into papery husks. This process, called “splitting,” occurs annually.
Caring for Your Butt Plants
Proper light exposure helps Lithops maintain their compact, stone-like shape. They require bright, direct sunlight for 4 to 5 hours daily, ideally from a south-facing window. Afternoon shade can prevent sunburn in hot climates. Insufficient light leads to etiolation, causing plants to stretch and become leggy.
Correct watering is the most important aspect of Lithops care, as overwatering causes their demise. Their watering schedule aligns with growth and dormancy cycles. Water sparingly from late spring into summer, stopping completely during summer dormancy.
Resume watering in late summer or early fall when new growth or flowering begins. Withhold water entirely during winter and spring when old leaves dry and new ones develop. Water thoroughly in mornings, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings.
Lithops need a well-draining, gritty soil mix that mimics their natural rocky habitat. A specialized cactus or succulent mix amended with inorganic materials like coarse sand, perlite, pumice, decomposed granite, or gravel works well. The soil should contain at least 50% drainage material to prevent water retention and rot. Pots must have drainage holes and a depth of 3 to 5 inches to accommodate their taproot.
These succulents prefer low humidity and thrive in average household temperatures, between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C). They tolerate temperatures up to 90°F to 100°F (32°C to 38°C) but need protection from freezing temperatures below 40°F (4°C). Good air circulation helps soil dry efficiently and prevents fungal issues.
Solving Common Butt Plant Problems
Rot is a frequent issue for Lithops, caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, a mushy texture, or blackening roots. If rot is suspected, unpot the plant, trim dark, soft roots with sterilized scissors, and allow the plant to dry for several days. Repot in fresh, dry, well-draining soil. Prevention through careful watering and proper soil is the best approach.
Etiolation, or stretching, occurs when Lithops do not receive enough light, causing them to grow tall and leggy. This growth cannot be reversed in existing leaves. To correct etiolation, gradually move the plant to a location with more intense direct sunlight. New leaves emerging in the next growth cycle should return to their compact, natural form.
Splitting issues stem from incorrect watering during the plant’s growth cycle. If water is given too soon while new leaves develop and absorb from old ones, the old leaves may not fully shrivel, causing the plant to swell and disrupt the splitting process. Allow old leaves to completely dry out before resuming watering, ensuring new leaves absorb their stored moisture. Manually tearing or removing outer leaves can damage the plant and should be avoided.
Repotting and Propagating Butt Plants
Repotting Lithops should be done carefully when actively growing in autumn or spring. They possess a taproot that can extend deeply. When repotting, gently remove the plant, mindful of the taproot, and place it in a fresh, well-draining succulent mix, ensuring the plant’s top is slightly above the soil surface. Trimming roots can encourage new, strong growth, but allow any cuts to callus for a few days before replanting.
Propagating Lithops is primarily achieved through seeds. Seeds can be sown in autumn or spring on a well-draining, gritty medium at consistent temperatures between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Tiny seeds should be lightly covered with fine sand or grit, and kept consistently moist until germination occurs, which can take weeks to months. Seedlings need to remain undisturbed for at least a year before transplanting.
Division is a less common method, as most Lithops grow as single pairs of leaves. However, some species naturally produce multiple heads. These clusters can be carefully divided during repotting if overcrowded. This involves gently separating individual plant bodies, ensuring each has a portion of the root system, and then repotting them into their own containers.