Project Description
Pleiospilos nelii
Split Rock, Cleft Stone, Mimicry Plant
This egg-shaped succulent has two gray-green leaves and a cleft down the center. New leaves grow at right angles to the split. “Split Rock” grows well indoors, making it perfect for a windowsill garden. Water sparingly in the winter and summer. Watch for orange blooms that smell like coconut in the winter!
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial shade
Can be grown indoors if given enough light
Water sparingly (see below for more information). Do not water in the winter.
Plant grows up to 5″ (13 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 4″ (10 cm) wide
Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1.1° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by division or seeds
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
Actively grows in Spring and Fall
Also available from Leaf and Clay and Etsy.
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Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock”
Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock”is a perfect example of mimicry in botany. Mimicry occurs when a plant evolves to resemble something around it. In the case of “Split Rock,” Pleiospilos nelii mimics stones, creating camouflage to blend in.
“Split Rock” also has small specks on its leaves. These are “windows” which allows sunlight to penetrate into the body of the plant, so it is able to photosynthesize.
Watering
“Split Rock” tends to need a bit less water than other succulents. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water sparingly during the winter. Over-watering can cause your “Split Rock” to burst or rot.
Where to Plant
Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock” is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (-1.1° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Plant in sandy, well-draining soil. “Split Rock” does well indoors on windowsills.
Pairs Well With
How to Propagate Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock”
“Split Rock” can be propagated by division or by seeds. If you are new to growing from seed, be aware that, like any succulent seed, it can take quite some time to grow a full-sized plant.
Division
Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock” can be propagated by dividing the leaves. Clumps should be removed in the spring before it begins to grow new leaves.
Using a sharp, sterile knife, remove a leaf from the main plant. Allow it to callous over for a day or two, and then place in well-draining sandy soil.
Seeds
“Split Rock” can be easily grown from seeds harvested from the flower pod or purchased online. Begin to sow your seeds in the summer, in a warm place.
For best results, soak your Pleiospilos nelii seeds in water for 24 hours before planting in a small layer of sandy soil. Keep soil damp, but not too wet, until seeds germinate.
Soil
Pleiospilos nelii likes soil without much organic material. Use a well-draining soil (preferably sandy) and do not fertilize unless it is during its growing time.
Often Confused With
Pleiospilos nelii “Split Rock” is often confused with Lithops.
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My split rocks were doing fantastic, looked great, awesome color! But I moved them to a brighter window and now they seem to have faded and are getting a little soft. I haven’t watered them since I got them so it’s not that I overwatered! I don’t know what to do! I love them so much and it’s making my heart feel sad!
How long have you had them? There’s a chance they could have been over-watered before you got them. Did you change the soil after you purchased them?
I’ve had them for about a month, maybe a little longer. I changed the soil the day I got them, roots looked nice. I reported them in a mixture of perlite and rock with about 1/8 cactus soil mixed in. Honestly there is barely any actual soil once it got mixed. On of them flowered and once the flower died it started to wither away!
So sorry to hear that! 🙁
I have 3 pleiospilos seedlings that are about a couple months old. Really hope they make it to adulthood
That’s great! I hope they work out for you! 🙂
Just got mine not sure what to do with the should I clean all the old dirt off them and replant them in fresh soil and what kind of soil do I use
Great question! This post will help.
I’ve got one split rock, and I’ve heard they don’t need much watering in the summer. However I did give him a bit of water a week ago, and now (late August) the bottom leaves are shriveled! I quite honestly don’t know what to do or what happened. He’s a windowsill plant and gets some sun, but not too much, since it’s summer. Any help/advice??
We’d love to help, but due to the high volume of requests we receive daily, we aren’t able to diagnose everyone’s succulents. However, we do have some tools you can use to get your succulent diagnosed. First, you can take a look at the suggestions in this post.
You can also post a photo to our Facebook Group to get feedback from the community, or join the Successfully Growing Succulents Course to get Cassidy’s 1-on-1 help. Thanks!