UK compost
What compost for olive living stones in the UK?
Lithops olivacea
More about olive living stones in the UK
Which compost olive living stones needs
For olive living stones the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. A blend of 60–70% inorganic grit (coarse sand, perlite, pumice) with 30–40% lean succulent compost is appropriate. The growing medium must never retain moisture. Ensure the pot has at least one large drainage hole. A thin gravel top-dressing helps prevent surface moisture near the base of the plant.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows olive living stones perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Olive Living Stones does not want a rich, water-holding compost — it wants sharp drainage. Cut peat-free multipurpose roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, and always pot into a container with drainage holes. A "cactus and succulent" bagged mix is a ready-made shortcut.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the olive living stones soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Olive Living Stones in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for olive living stones in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. A blend of 60–70% inorganic grit (coarse sand, perlite, pumice) with 30–40% lean succulent compost is appropriate. The growing medium must never retain moisture. Ensure the pot has at least one large drainage hole. A thin gravel top-dressing helps prevent surface moisture near the base of the plant. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for olive living stones?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for olive living stones and will rot the roots. Cut it roughly 50:50 with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite so it drains fast.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow olive living stones perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does olive living stones need grit or perlite added?
Yes — olive living stones must have sharp drainage. Add about one part horticultural grit or perlite to one part compost, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
What pot and drainage does olive living stones need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Gritty mineral succulent mix. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More olive living stones care
See the full olive living stones care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.