Care Fundamentals
Growing Lithops from seed: a month-by-month protocol
Seed-grown Lithops are slow but unbeatable for variety and price. Here is what to expect, month by month, for the first two years.
Sowing
Sow on the surface of a 50/50 mix of fine pumice and coarse sand, in a 7–10 cm deep tray with multiple drainage holes. Do not bury the seed — Lithops seed needs light to germinate.
Mist the surface, cover with a clear lid for the first week to hold humidity, and keep at 18–22 °C with bright indirect light. Germination begins at 5–10 days and continues for 3–4 weeks.
Months 1–3
Seedlings emerge as a tiny pair of bead-like leaves a millimetre or two across. Keep the surface damp, never waterlogged, and ventilate the lid more each week. By month 3 the cover is off and the seedlings are 3–5 mm in diameter, with the first hint of window colour.
Months 4–12
Transition to the standard mineral mix at the first repot, around month 6. Begin treating seedlings as adults at month 9 — sun ramp, dry-down between waterings, no fertiliser. Most will undergo their first molt between months 10 and 14. Losses are normal during this molt; survivors are tough.
Year 2 and beyond
Year-two seedlings look like miniature adults at 1–1.5 cm. From here they follow the normal seasonal cycle. First flowering typically occurs at 3 to 5 years from sowing, depending on species and growing conditions.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the success rate?
- Realistic: 50–70% germination, 60–80% survival to year one, very high after that. Seed quality matters more than technique.
- Do I need bottom heat?
- Not strictly. A warm room (20 °C nights) is enough. A propagation mat held at 22 °C raises germination consistency.
- When can I separate them?
- At first repot (month 6) you can prick them out individually, or leave them clumped — they coexist fine for 2–3 years before they need their own pots.
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Written by the Editorial Team. Spotted an error or want to add a regional note? Send corrections or apply to contribute.