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Dinteranthus vanzylii is often confused with:
Lithops naureeniae
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Echeveria elegans Echeveria Elegans
Muscari armeniacum Blue-purple flowers appear in a dense raceme.
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis

Dinteranthus Dinteranthus vanzylii

Previously known as:

  • Lithops vanzylii
Phonetic Spelling
din-ter-AN-thus van-ZIL-lee-eye
Description

Living Stones are tiny succulent single or clumping plants that resemble rocks. They rarely flower with yellow blooms.  They are often confused with plants in the genus Lithops.  

These plants are composed of 2 succulent leaves that are nearly united with a fissure in the center. The stems are underground. The leaves range from plain chalky white to having various brown spots or lines on the leaves. They rarely bloom but have solitary bright yellow to orange flowers in March. Once this plant has bloomed, the leaves shrivel and new leaves are formed. The appearance of the plant looks very similar to rocks found in its native habitat of South Africa. They are able to withstand long periods of drought and have a thick tap root.

Plant living stones in containers in sandy to rocky soils with very good drainage to prevent rot. They need plenty of sun, no fertilizer and little water. If grown outdoors in the summer in humid areas they won't need a lot of water. Spraying the plant can be adequate at times, especially indoors in drier conditions. Their unusual appearance makes them a popular addition to a succulent collection. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot from too much water.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#succulent#slow growing#yellow flowers#rock garden#winter flowers#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#succulent#slow growing#yellow flowers#rock garden#winter flowers#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dinteranthus
    Species:
    vanzylii
    Family:
    Aizoaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Cape province, South Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Up to 1.5 inches across, bright yellow to orange and occassionally white solitary flowers. Blooms March to April.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Gray/Silver
    Leaf Feel:
    Rubbery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Two small thick leaves nearly joined together with a fissure in the middle. May be chalky white, gray and some have brown markings
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Under ground stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden