Dinteranthus vanzylii aka Dinteranthus Vanzylii

Dinteranthus vanzylii is a small succulent in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Its common names include living stone and split stone plant. It comes from the northwestern Cape region of South Africa. There, it grows in dry sand and gravel among quartz stones. Its shape and pale colour help it blend with rocks. The plant can endure long spells without rain. Gardeners sometimes mistake it for a member of Lithops.

Plants grow alone or form small clumps at a slow pace. Each body reaches about 0.05–0.13 feet [0.015–0.04 metres] tall. Much of the body lies below the soil surface. Two thick leaves join almost fully, with a cleft between them. Their broad, flat tips stay exposed above the soil. The smooth leaves feel rubbery and have no hairs. They may look white or grey, with brown spots or lines. Some plants have no markings at all. An underground stem and thick taproot support the leaf pair.

Each flower grows alone and opens above the leaf cleft. Flowers are yellow to orange, with white blooms also reported. They reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] across. NC State lists the bloom season as March to April. It also notes that plants may flower only rarely. After bloom, the old leaves shrink as new leaves form. The fruit is a seed pod with eight to ten chambers. Growers can raise plants from tiny seeds or divide older clumps.

This plant suits small pots, succulent collections, and dry rock gardens. It needs full sun and sandy or rocky soil. Water must drain fast to keep the roots sound. It needs little water, and NC State says fertilizer is unnecessary. LLIFLE advises a gritty mix with little organic matter. It also calls for shelter from wet winter weather. LLIFLE gives USDA zones 9a to 11 for cultivation. It prefers winter temperatures above 41°F [5°C]. Brief cold down to 19°F [-7°C] may be tolerated in dry soil.

Too much water can cause root rot, its main listed problem. Poor drainage therefore poses a greater risk than dry soil. ASPCA lists this species as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. That pet-safety listing does not establish that people can eat it.