Lithops & Split Rock Soil Mix

• 8 parts Pumice – provides a dominant mineral framework with fast dry-down and air spaces.
• 0.5 part coarse horticultural sand – gives weight and stability; fine sand should not be used as a drainage shortcut.
• 1 part Worm castings – provides the small organic fraction already built into this recipe; do not add extra.
• A little bit of Activated carbon – optional porous carbon additive; it cannot compensate for excess moisture or poor hygiene.
• A little bit of lava gravel – brings mineral texture, weight and long-lasting structure.

To mix your own: use 10 parts total with the ratios above. Keep extra organic material and fertiliser out unless you are deliberately adapting the mix for non-Lithops succulents.

This mix is designed for very cautious watering and long dry periods.

• Pot choice: use shallow pots with drainage holes; clay or unglazed containers help water evaporate faster.
• When to repot: repot when old substrate is unknown or unsuitable, or when plants have filled the pot with roots; avoid repotting annually unless necessary.
• Preparing the plant: gently squeeze the pot and slide the plant out, removing as much old soil as possible without damaging roots.
• Cleaning roots: brush away old mix carefully; rinse only if compact organic soil clings strongly, then let roots dry briefly before replanting.
• Planting depth: position Lithops and Pleiospilos so the bodies sit just above the substrate surface, with roots spread into the mineral mix.
• First watering after repotting: in many cases, wait several days to a week before the first light watering to allow any damaged roots to callus.
• Regular watering: water only when the bodies start to show slight wrinkling or when your species enters its normal watering phase; let the mix dry completely between waterings.
• Winter rest: during winter and leaf replacement, many Lithops are kept completely dry – always follow species-specific guidelines.

• pH: approx. 7.6.
• Nutrient caution: use as a mineral-led mix and do not add fertiliser or extra rich amendments for Lithops and similar mimicry succulents.
• Organic matter: about 9 % – intentionally low.
• Dry matter: about 91 %.
• Water retention capacity: around 4 %, tuned for very fast drying.
• Structural stability: typically 5+ years; mineral components dominate and only the small organic fraction changes over time.
• Bioactive? Not the main use – this is a lean mineral-led succulent substrate, not a bioactive terrarium base.
• Pet considerations: No – contains mineral amendments and activated carbon and is not intended for ingestion by pets or children.