The Split Rock Plant or Genus Pleiospilos plant actually got its name from two Greek words.
The two words are “pleios”, which means “many”, and the second one is “spilos”, meaning spot.
This plant is a member of the Aizoaceae family, and people often mix it up with Lithops, which mean living stones.
This plant is also known through many different names, such as:
- Split Rock Plant
- Mimicry Plant
- Living Rock Cactus
- African Living Rock
- Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock”
- Royal Flush Split Rocks
Split Rock Plant Propagation & Care Guide
Size & Growth
This plant is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture to be planted in US zones 9 to 11.
This plant is a very small one, so small it is only a couple of inches high when it grows, and it actually has no stems.
These pleiospilos nelii produce about two to four sphericals each, and some deep fissure leaves.
Those leaves range in color from grayish-green to brown and are patterned with spots, hence the name.
This living rock succulent produces new leaf-pair every year after it absorbs its old ones.
In fact, they should never have more than four new pairs of leaves at a time. If it does, that means that you’re overwatering it, and you should cut down.
Flowering & Fragrance
The Split Rock Plant is known to bloom during the Spring season every year right after the winter dormancy period.
Its flowers are often orange or yellow in color, and sometimes they can have a white, or pink blossom. Most of these daisy-like flowers smell like coconut.
Considering the plant’s small size, the blooms are quite large and are held aloft by the plant’s short body.
Light & Temperature
This plant loves warm temperatures and can bloom in this type of setting. It can actually grow in the best conditions if it is planted indoors in a south-facing window during winter.
During the summer, you should allow it some outdoor time to enjoy the sunlight, but don’t leave there for too long, especially during the afternoons.
Watering & Feeding Split Rock Plant
This plant doesn’t need much water, so don’t overwater it. In fact, some of these plants only need to be watered once or twice every year, and some even depend on water only from rainfall.
You should water it once during spring, and once again during early fall.
What you should care about is watering the plant to the point where the mix becomes moist and when it runs through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot just like any other cacti.
Only water it again when the soil becomes completely dry.
Soil & Transplanting Split Rock Plant
The size of this plant is what allows it to grow among pebble, rocks, sandstone, and quartz gravel.
In the soil, do not put any organic material, you should use a mix of one-part succulent potting soil, and 3 parts pumice.
Grooming & Maintenance
This plant doesn’t need any grooming.
You should only remove the old leaves if the plant doesn’t get rid of them by the end of winter.
If they won’t come off easily, leave them off so as to not damage the plant.
How to Propagate Split Rock Plant
These plants rarely produce offset. Often times, this plant is grown from its seeds, and most growers just scatter the seeds over coarse sand and keep it slightly damp.
The seedling tray should be kept in a warm place with bright, indirect light after you hand sow the seeds during early spring.
These plants can take a very long time for them to sprout.
Split Rock Plant Pests and Disease Problems
The biggest problem about the Split Rock Plant is overwatering, which can make them rot. The rot makes the plant more prone to common pests including aphids and scale.
Is the Plant Considered Toxic or Poisonous?
In North America, these plants are often collected for the moisture they provide, and according to the ASPCA, they are neither toxic to cats, dogs, nor horses.
The plant is also not invasive.
(Avoid planting these Invassive Plants in your garden)
Suggested Mimicry Plant Uses
The Pleiospilos rock plant is a very unusual plant, and makes for a great houseplant in small containers.
The plant’s long tap root can be accommodated with a pot the depth of 3, to 5 inches.
You should know that the plant is really good at resisting drought, and can easily survive year-round weather.