Lithops aucampiae

RHS Plant Profile

Aucamp's living stone

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Cactus Succulent Houseplants

A succulent perennial forming a clump of thick, paired reddish-ochre coloured leaves with darker markings on the tips, and yellow, daisy-like flowers in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Aizoaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Lithops are nearly stemless, succulent perennials forming bodies composed of a pair of very fleshy leaves, the flattish tips bearing translucent dots or patches; daisy-like flowers emerge from the fissure between the leaves
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost with added leaf mould, in bright, filtered light, with good ventilation. When in growth water moderately and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free