Lithops & Split Rock Soil Mix

Manufacturer reference recipe for Lithops Mix. Measure the main ingredients below by volume; minor additions have no specified fixed amounts.

• Pumice: 8 parts; the main mineral fraction
• Coarse horticultural sand: ½ part; use coarse, washed material
• Worm castings: 1 part; modest organic fraction
• Lava gravel: a small additional amount
• Activated carbon: a small optional amount
• Additional nutrients: Do not add rich compost or strong fertiliser. Lithops and Pleiospilos need a lean, predominantly mineral mix.

Choose the finished mineral texture to suit the plant and use a pot deep enough for its roots.

• Pot choice: Choose a pot with drainage holes and sufficient depth for the root system. Many Lithops need approximately 8–13 cm of depth, even when the bodies are small.
• When to repot: Repot if the mix has broken down, roots are cramped or the plant is in inappropriate soil.
• Unpotting: Remove old mix gently to avoid tearing the taproot and fine feeder roots.
• Position: Keep leaf bodies at the correct height with the roots extending downward into the mix.
• After root damage: Allow injured roots to recover before a substantial watering.
• Watering: Follow the plant’s growth and leaf-replacement stage. Allow the mineral mix to dry thoroughly between appropriate waterings.
• Do not follow a blanket winter rule: Dormancy and leaf replacement vary with species, hemisphere, light and indoor conditions.

Mineral particles provide a stable structure for Lithops and Pleiospilos when paired with a suitable pot and careful watering.

• Drainage: use a pot with clear drainage holes and an open mineral root zone.
• Depth: allow sufficient room for the taproot and fine roots.
• Watering: follow the growth and leaf-replacement stage of the species, then let the medium dry.
• Feeding: these plants are adapted to lean growing media; avoid rich additions.
• Monitoring: assess the plant body, roots and seasonal growth stage before watering.