How often should I water it?

Water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry and the leaves show slight signs of wrinkling.

Why is my plant splitting?

It is normal for the plant to split as it produces new leaves from the center.

Plant guide

Split rock.

Pleiospilos nelii

Pronounced ply-oh-SPY-los NEL-ee-eye

Also known as Splitrock Quaggafig

Splitrock Quaggafig — Photo by Alan Rockefeller (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This fascinating succulent looks just like a pair of stones nestled in the soil. It's a desert native that stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves. You'll love its unique, compact appearance.

Another photo of Split rock — Photo by Nico Bronkhorst (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep this plant very dry, especially during its dormant period. Watch for mushy leaves, which indicate you're watering way too much. It needs plenty of sun to keep its shape and bloom.

Watering: Only water when the soil is completely dry and the plant shows signs of thirst.
Feeding: Feed sparingly with a balanced succulent fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or shriveled leaves once they have completely dried up.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Well-draining succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

The plant has outgrown its current pot.
The soil has become compacted and drains poorly.

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is not dangerous, but its small size and stone-like appearance might tempt children to handle or ingest it.
Contact allergens: There are no known skin irritants associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: There are no known airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Two thick, stone-like leaves
Dotted surface texture
Grayish green or brownish color
Daisy-like yellow or orange flowers

Height: 0.05 to 0.1m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.12m
Leaves: gray-green, spotted, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, orange, 5 to 8cm
Fruit: brown, Late spring

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your split rock from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Keep the plant completely dry during the winter months to prevent rot. Ensure it stays in a bright, cool location.
In containers: It grows well in small, shallow pots with excellent drainage, such as terracotta.

Seed

1. Sow seeds on the surface of a well-draining succulent mix.
2. Lightly cover with fine grit or sand.
3. Keep the soil slightly moist until germination occurs.
4. Gradually reduce water as the seedlings mature.

Group this plant with other slow-growing succulents that require minimal water to avoid overwatering accidents.

Grows well with

Lithops · They share similar light and water requirements in a rock garden setting.
Aloe · These succulents thrive in the same arid conditions.

Similar species

Split Rock · It has a very similar appearance and growth habit.

Science

Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Pleiospilos
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered in its native habitat.

It survives in harsh, dry environments by storing water in its thick, fleshy leaves.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental, rock garden, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 1/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry and the leaves show slight signs of wrinkling.
Why is my plant splitting?: It is normal for the plant to split as it produces new leaves from the center.

Where the name comes from

The name Pleiospilos comes from Greek words meaning many spots, referring to the leaf markings.

Good to know

It is a succulent that mimics the surrounding rocks to avoid being eaten by herbivores.
The plant typically only has two or four leaves at a time.
It is native to the arid regions of South Africa.
The flowers open in the afternoon and close at night.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.