# Dorothea's Living Stone (Lithops dorotheae)

> Lithops dorotheae is celebrated as one of the most exquisitely patterned living stones, distinguished by intricate reddish-brown reticulations across creamy, translucent apical windows. Endemic to the arid Northern Cape of South Africa, it consists of a single fused pair of truncated succulent leaves adapted to extreme desert environments. In autumn, solitary yellow daisy-like flowers emerge dramatically from the central fissure.

- **Scientific Name:** *Lithops dorotheae*
- **Botanical Family:** Aizoaceae
- **Care Difficulty:** Expert (4/5)
- **Cold Hardiness:** 0°C (USDA Zone 10a)
- **Pet Safety / Toxicity:** Pet-Safe (Non-toxic to cats and dogs)
- **Canonical URL:** https://sukulentler.com/en/species/lithops-dorotheae
- **Markdown Source:** https://sukulentler.com/en/species/lithops-dorotheae.md
- **Botanical Photo:** https://sukulentler.com/assets/images/articles/species_lithops_dorotheae.webp?v=1794232791

## Light & Sun Exposure

Requires 4-6 hours of bright direct morning sunlight or intense full-spectrum grow lights; shield from intense midday summer sun.

## Watering Schedule & Method

Soak-and-dry protocol only during active growth (late spring and autumn); strictly suspend all watering during winter splitting and mid-summer heat dormancy.

## Soil & Gritty Mix Formula

85% Inorganic Gritty Minerals (Pumice, lava grit, coarse quartz sand) + 15% Organic Cactus Peat

## Cold Tolerance & Overwintering

0°C (USDA Zone 10a)

## Propagation Methods

Seed sowing or careful division of multi-headed mature clumps

## Available Language Editions

- [TR: Dorothea Canlı Taş Sukulenti (Lithops dorotheae)](https://sukulentler.com/tr/turler/lithops-dorotheae.md)
- [DE: Dorotheas Lebender Stein (Lithops dorotheae)](https://sukulentler.com/de/arten/lithops-dorotheae.md)
- [ES: Piedra Viva de Dorothea (Lithops dorotheae)](https://sukulentler.com/es/especies/lithops-dorotheae.md)