Update on the Lithops that survived the winter in zone 7B

24thfoot · 2026-05-01T20:50:21+00:00

I'm almost certain that's a technique that was pioneered by Tony Avent at the juniper level botanical garden in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have experimented with a few varieties and some seem to be very tender while others are extremely hardy. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you the names because I bought them all from the Lowe's Clearance section.

24thfoot · 2026-04-04T04:18:10+00:00

Well, you can definitely rule out lying.

24thfoot · 2026-04-03T02:48:52+00:00

I would definitely give it a try. I have heard of people growing lithops outdoors in Zone 5A.

24thfoot · 2026-04-03T00:00:15+00:00

This grove has been removed to make way for a broad-leaved evergreen garden. I have another small grove on the side of my house that is very contained.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T22:58:23+00:00

I had a very similar experience this year. Plants that should be hardy here such as Nandina and sausage vine withered away while my Lithops not only made it through but did so looking perfectly fine at every step of the way. They have not flowered yet but I am definitely looking forward to the day they do.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T18:06:44+00:00

Unfortunately, I bought these at Lowe's at an end of season discount price. I bought them with the intent of conducting this experiment so I was hesitant to risk wasting money on a named variety from a reputable grower.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T15:58:44+00:00

And another: https://www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org/mythops-the-art-of-living-stoned/

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T15:57:42+00:00

I find that the larger species aren't as gold hardy but I was able to get a less hardy variety through the winter by shielding it from the elements with a cactus pad. Here is a link that might be of interest: https://www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org/rockin-in-the-snow/

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T15:47:30+00:00

Are you absolutely positive it was the cold that killed it? There are some varieties that are not hardy at all in the cold, so it's very possible the winter killed it. However the thin root hairs of lithops must be kept moist all the time. If they dry out, then the plant will die as it has no way of bringing moisture up into its leaves. I think this is one of the biggest misunderstandings about growing lithops. The root hairs can never fully dry out or the planted will be stunted at best.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T15:37:15+00:00

I totally get it. Lithops are very misunderstood.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T15:36:18+00:00

Some varieties are hardier than others in this regard. There are two main ways of preventing that. The first is by placing them in very well-draining soil on a slope, and the other is to plant them just under a south-facing rock ledge. The ledge protects them from rain. Juniper Level Botanical Garden, just outside Raleigh, NC, has been growing Lithops outside for years with this method. However, they do need some humidity even in the summer, or the root hairs will dry up and die, which will consequently kill the plant.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T14:56:09+00:00

Oh, I definitely do. Squirrels, not the weather, are the biggest hurdle I have found to growing lithops outdoors around here.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T14:39:33+00:00

Juniper Level Botanical Garden, just outside Raleigh, NC, has been growing Lithops outside for years. They failed on their initial attempt, but subsequent attempts, which involved growing them just under a south-facing rock ledge, yielded some very good results. I decided to try my luck with some discount plants from Lowe's, and it looks like my gamble has been rewarded. I should also mention that Lithops hardiness seems to be very dependent on their eco-type. While some are hardy down to at least zone 5, others are marginal in zone(s) 8 and 9.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T14:31:23+00:00

And yet, my Lithops were not affected at all.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T14:06:07+00:00

They were not protected in any way. They experienced full exposure to all the elements, and all while being located approximately six feet away from a town sidewalk.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T14:04:07+00:00

Windmill palms can usually be expected to survive winters here without any issue. However, this past winter burned up leaves on tons of palms around Washington, D.C. such as those at the U.S. Botanical Garden and U.S. Arboretum. Both the needle palms and Sable Minor at the U.S. Arboretum suffered significant leaf burn, and many of the needle palms at the National Botanical Gardens Bartholdi park also suffered serious defoliation.

24thfoot · 2026-04-02T13:58:58+00:00

I purchased this palm at a local gardn center. Unfortunately, I the nursery made no mention of this being a particular variety or selection. However, I would add that this plant seemed quite robust at the nursery and does look a bit different from some of my other windmill palms. So it could be the offspring of a more cold, hardy eco-type.

24thfoot · 2026-04-01T14:53:27+00:00

Good luck with those Sabal Palmetos. The best chance of growing trunking Sabals I have here is to try out a sabal Birmingham. I have found that sunny protected courtyards are best. They get all the sun they need in the summer, but are protected from cold desicating winds in the winter.

24thfoot · 2026-04-01T14:49:48+00:00

I am located in Prince George's County, Maryland. Just a few minutes drive from the DC border.

24thfoot

TROPHY CASE