Staff Answer
Oct 18, 2021 - 09:11 AM
Lithops can be a major challenge to grow and challenges to root development in Lithops can be caused by multiple factors. Here are a few of them:
1) Overwatering. Watering too often can cause root rot which will prevent new roots from growing and will kill the plant very quickly. Lithops should only be watered a few times a year and only during specific parts of their growth cycle, because of this, over watering is easily the number one reason for Lithops death.
2) Poor soil. Even if you're watering an appropriate amount, if your soil holds moisture too well, you can end up rotting your plant's roots. Be sure to use a very inorganic soil that drains well. If it's mostly pearlite or gravel, it's probably a good soil for Lithops.
3) Poor lighting. This one is a stretch, but without enough light, your plant won't have the energy to root properly. Lithops require lots of sun, and even like four or five hours of direct sunlight, as well as all of the indirect light you can give them. This is because their chlorophyll, the pigment in a plant that is necessary for converting sunlight into usable energy, is located deep within the leaves, rather than on the surface like most other plants.
I hope you have more success with these in the future! Although the challenge of Lithops makes them hard to grow, it also makes them one of the most rewarding plants to grow properly.
1) Overwatering. Watering too often can cause root rot which will prevent new roots from growing and will kill the plant very quickly. Lithops should only be watered a few times a year and only during specific parts of their growth cycle, because of this, over watering is easily the number one reason for Lithops death.
2) Poor soil. Even if you're watering an appropriate amount, if your soil holds moisture too well, you can end up rotting your plant's roots. Be sure to use a very inorganic soil that drains well. If it's mostly pearlite or gravel, it's probably a good soil for Lithops.
3) Poor lighting. This one is a stretch, but without enough light, your plant won't have the energy to root properly. Lithops require lots of sun, and even like four or five hours of direct sunlight, as well as all of the indirect light you can give them. This is because their chlorophyll, the pigment in a plant that is necessary for converting sunlight into usable energy, is located deep within the leaves, rather than on the surface like most other plants.
I hope you have more success with these in the future! Although the challenge of Lithops makes them hard to grow, it also makes them one of the most rewarding plants to grow properly.
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