---
title: "I bought a lithops last year with a dead root ball. After a year of…"
description: "I bought a lithops last year with a dead root ball. After a year of trying to see if it’ll grow new roots I have decided to try and cut the dead root ball all…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JTKPVVVnTWq8RdIJ8lW6Rg/650870c147afa640b33aaf8b"
community: "Lithops Lovers"
author: "Tay"
published: "2023-09-18T15:46:09.686Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/znPnjNEmZHYMeVgcm8gmgP6nKbD91afzF5U-oGk5BRI/7d0285f09fba4214a964691576404202.webp?size=large"
---

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# I bought a lithops last year with a dead root ball. After a year of…

_Posted by Tay on 2023-09-18_

I bought a lithops last year with a dead root ball. After a year of trying to see if it’ll grow new roots I have decided to try and cut the dead root ball all the way to the base and water it in soil. Though I’m also wondering if it would be worth doing water therapy. Anyone have any tricks? Thank you! I’m not sure the soil will retain the moisture it needs to grow roots. They also haven’t split since I got it last august. Thanks!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/znPnjNEmZHYMeVgcm8gmgP6nKbD91afzF5U-oGk5BRI/7d0285f09fba4214a964691576404202.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Dave\_opuntiaface commented on 2023-09-18

You’re in uncharted territories ha. Not having split since last year is not a concern, but I would have given up by now 😕 This is a labor of love.

### DanishGramma commented on 2023-09-25

Open the taproot with a knife. You’ll see a tiny white spot, then put them in damp gritty soil and put them in your fridge for a few days. Cold triggers root growth. Then give them full sun for 6 to 8 hours a day.

### DanishGramma commented on 2023-09-25

I just got 21 new ones and I’m trying to get them to root too! Lol

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