---
title: "I periodically get a new species of Lithops, and then spend a while…"
description: "I periodically get a new species of Lithops, and then spend a while thinking \"oh, I got this\" as I pour over the 37-species identification chart. Fruitless,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/p4JqJFXPcODtgfq92C1Mhr"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Dave_opuntiaface"
published: "2025-10-19T16:15:10.821103Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/L-1ocLMVSVCNMRKOMR8bJQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# I periodically get a new species of Lithops, and then spend a while…

_Posted by Dave\_opuntiaface on 2025-10-19_

I periodically get a new species of Lithops, and then spend a while thinking "oh, I got this" as I pour over the 37-species identification chart.

Fruitless, yo. The colors (always wrong) and dots, fissure, isles, channels, and outer/inner margins are all kinds of fluid.

I have a few odd ones, but the normie, common flowering one here is 9 years old. It survived bugs, looks like total crap, but that flower proves it is a true dumpster phoenix.

![Attachment 1 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/L-1ocLMVSVCNMRKOMR8bJQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/vZvyLRlaR0a3QSTzNDwvPw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/F2BlIdcyRQivCUQTeGCzMw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/rPxCZ1WWR-axEZbZQcgoGg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 5 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/nbA_QpEDToijqMaKlJ1ubQ.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### terracotta pot commented on 2025-10-20

Wow, nine years. What’s your watering schedule and lighting situation like? I’m struggling with mine.

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2025-10-21

Tons of light via south window and/or heavy duty grow lights (Mars Hydro lights meant for growing “green” types of plants/crops lol). Watering is almost according to the Planta schedule, but I’m cautious in the autumn months. Poking and probing and using the “super wrinkled and not splitting = can water” method is all I can advise. I’ve mentioned it, but I lost a bunch just due to mealie bugs and required experimental surgery that stunted that year’s intended split. These things are so resilient until they pass the “I’m full” mark, and then a single water with cloudy days can end them.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/cfeP_QnmRxS2rJ3xThCGtQ.webp?size=large)

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2025-10-21

This is right up in the window. I have had them stress up a bit as far as color with intense sun, but these two clumps seem to love it.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/yvwGCOksRVKNAxQKH65C-g.webp?size=large)

### B’s Plants commented on 2025-10-28

lol @ dumpster phoenix 😂 love that !

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2025-10-29

lol It’s the nicest way to refer to something that’s trying so hard to get out of the proverbial crap.

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