Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) Lithops lesliei
Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) (Lithops lesliei) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Aizoaceae family, native to Grassland and karoo of northern South Africa (Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape) and Botswana. It grows 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tall and 3–10 cm (1–4 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart.
Plan Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 cm (1–2 in) |
| Mature spread | 3–10 cm (1–4 in) |
| Spacing | 5 cm (2 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Grassland and karoo of northern South Africa (Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape) and Botswana |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Living stones (Leslie’s lithops)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Living stones (Leslie’s lithops)
- How far apart should I plant Living stones (Leslie’s lithops)?
- About 5 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–10 cm (1–4 in).
- Does Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Living stones (Leslie’s lithops)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
- Is Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Living stones (Leslie’s lithops)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Living stones (Leslie’s lithops). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Each plant is a pair of fused, stone-patterned leaves almost buried in grit, with a translucent “window” on top that lets light into the leaf; a yellow daisy opens from the slit in autumn. A new leaf pair grows inside the old one each year: do not water while the old pair is shrivelling.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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