Light Requirements: Prefers bright, direct sunlight and thrives in full sun conditions. Indoors, place it in a very bright location such as a south-facing window or under strong grow lights to maintain compact, healthy growth.
Watering Needs: Water extremely sparingly. Only water when the plant shows signs of active growth and the soil is completely dry. During leaf replacement (typically in spring), do not water at all—new leaves consume the old pair. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure.
Soil Preference: Requires a sharply draining, gritty cactus or succulent mix. Add large amounts of coarse sand, pumice, or crushed lava rock to simulate its native rocky habitat and prevent moisture retention.
How to Fertilize: Fertilize lightly once or twice during the growing season (late summer to early fall) with a diluted, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy or leaf transition periods.
Hardiness Zone: Suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11. It is not frost-tolerant and must be protected from cold and excess moisture in cooler climates.
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep around pets.
Additional Care Tips: Pleiospilos nelii is a mimicry plant that resembles pebbles and is prone to rot from even slight overwatering. It typically produces one new pair of leaves per year and may bloom with large, daisy-like flowers in fall. Avoid disturbing the plant during leaf replacement, and do not remove the old leaves manually. Repot only when absolutely necessary, using a shallow pot with excellent drainage.
