As a lithops enthusiast, you may have noticed your plants undergoing a dramatic transformation right now. This process, known as “splitting” or “leaves change,” can be alarming for new growers, but rest assured, it’s a natural and essential part of a lithops’ lifecycle.

What is Splitting in Lithops?

Splitting occurs when a lithops’ old leaves begin to shrivel and eventually split apart, revealing a new pair of leaves underneath. This process usually happens annually, as the plant prepares for a new growing season.

Why Does Splitting Happen?

Splitting is a natural process that allows lithops to renew themselves. As the old leaves shrink and split, they make way for new growth, ensuring the plant remains healthy and thriving.

What to Expect During Splitting

During the splitting process, you may notice:

• The old leaves shrinking and becoming wrinkled
• A slight discoloration or blemish on the old leaves
• A small gap forming between the old and new leaves
• The new leaves emerging, often with a slightly different color or pattern/marking

It’s essential to remember that splitting is a natural process, and it’s not a sign of disease or neglect. In fact, it’s a sign that your lithops is healthy and thriving! So don’t panic, its a essential part of the lithops growth cycle!

The Benefits of Splitting

The splitting process has several benefits for your lithops:

• Renewal: Splitting allows the plant to renew itself, ensuring it remains healthy and thriving.
• Growth: The new leaves that emerge during splitting may have a different color or pattern, adding visual interest to the plant.
• Blemish removal: Any scarring or imperfection on the old leaves are removed during the splitting process, leaving the new leaves healthy and beautiful once again!

How to Care for Your Lithops During Splitting

To ensure your lithops thrives during the splitting process:

• Water carefully: During the splitting process, it’s essential to reduce watering to a minimum. This allows the lithops to absorb water and nutrients from the old leaves, supporting the new growth. Normal watering at this point can cause the plant to etiolate (stretch taller due to excessive intake of water), while also hindering the old leaves’ natural shrinking process.
• Provide optimal light: Ensure your lithops receives bright, indirect light to promote healthy growth. Natural sunlight is particularly beneficial during this stage, as it helps accelerate the shrinking process of the old leaves more effectively than artificial growlights.
• Maintain good air circulation: Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases, promotes healthy growth and reduces chances of rot.

Don’t be dismayed if the new growth appears much smaller than the old leaves. It’s common for the new growth to seem tiny in comparison to the old leaves, as they are notoriously slow growers.

Interestingly, the new leaves emerge at a 90-degree angle to the old leaves due to the plant’s unique growth habit. This adaptation allows lithops to:

• Optimise light exposure: By growing new leaves at a right angle to the old ones, lithops can maximise its exposure to sunlight. The new leaves can receive direct sunlight, while the old leaves provide shade and protection.
• Increase surface area: The perpendicular growth of new leaves allows lithops to increase its surface area, enabling it to absorb more sunlight, water, and nutrients.

By understanding the splitting process, you can enjoy the amazing transformation of your lithops as it renews itself every year. Remember, it’s a natural process, and with proper care, your lithops will thrive and continue to fascinate you with its unique beauty for years to come!

Hello fellow lithops lovers and collectors! Welcome to Heymerry, the ultimate haven for all things Lithops and Conophytum.

If you’re here, you’re probably already captivated by these little wonderful Mesembs —or you’re about to be!

I’m so excited to finally have my own platform and share my journey and passion for these amazing, drought-hardy plants with you.

How It All Started

My love for Lithops (commonly known as “living stones”) and Conophytum began in 2018, and I can honestly say, it was not love at first sight.

At first, I found these small plants to be a bit of a challenge. They’re so small and colorful, and I was drawn to their unique charm.

But every time I tried to grow them, I would fail — leaving behind a trail of shriveled, rotten mushy lithops.

But I refused to give up. With every failure, I became more stubbornly determined.

I took to the internet and books to gather information about their care: from their natural habitat in arid deserts to their unusual watering needs.

I also had to adjust the information to be applicable in Singapore’s climate, through some trial and errors on my end.

Slowly but surely, I began to learn the art of caring for these plants — understanding their needs and quirks until finally, I found my groove.

The Aha Moment

The real breakthrough came when I realised how truly unique these plants are.

Lithops and Conophytum don’t need constant attention, and in fact, overwatering and poor ventilation was often my biggest mistake.

I discovered that the secret to their health and longevity lies in their simplicity: a well-draining soil mix, a careful (sometimes negligent) watering schedule, and a lot of patience.

And as time passed, my plants flourished! After all if I can do it, anyone can!

What to Expect From This Blog

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this blog is a place where I hope to share more about the fascinating world of these resilient plants. Some ideas in the works include:

• Care Tips
• Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
• Conophytum Propagation Tips
• How to Revive a Dying Lithops
• How to Pot Them
• How to Care for Them in Our Tropical Climate

My Little Mission

I want to make these little living stones accessible to everyone, and help plant lovers like you experience the joy of caring for them successfully.

Lithops and Conophytum are such rewarding plants, and when you finally get them right, there’s nothing more satisfying.

Thank you for stopping by Heymerry! I’m thrilled to share my passion for Lithops and Conophytum with you, and I hope this blog will inspire and equip you to start your very own little succulent collection.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the selection in my shop, where you’ll find a wide variety of Lithops, Conophytum and other Succulents.

Let’s plant happiness together! 🌱✨

Warmly
Wanting
Heymerry Shop