A restricted endemic from the Sperrgebiet region of Namibia; this species has a generation length of 30 years and is declining as a result of illegal plant collection.  It is suspected to have lost between 20–30% of its population since 1984 mostly due to illegal collection. Further declines of between 50 and 60% are projected to occur by 2074 as a result of the combined impacts of loss of habitat to renewable energy developments, a harbour port development to support the Green Hydrogen Plant that is proposed to be located on the Lüderitz peninsula, and a significant increase in illegal collection expected to result from the increase in the number of people coming to live in the town of Lüderitz and work on the projects associated with Green Hydrogen. A loss of between 80 and 90% of the population is suspected over a shifting three generation window from 1984 to 2074. The species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered under criterion A4.

This species is endemic to the southern Namib Desert in Namibia. It occurs in a long narrow coastal strip, from the Lüderitz Peninsula and townlands to Grillental and southward for 200 km to west of the Buchuberg and up to approximately 30 km inland . The entire distribution range is within the boundaries of the Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park.

Most subpopulations appear to consist of many small colonies of plants.  Based on field surveys undertaken over the past two decades the Lüderitz town and peninsula subpopulation included 70–80% of the total number of mature plants. This subpopulation has been severely depleted by succulent collectors. It is suspected that up to 2,000 mature individuals could still remain in the total population. The current trend is decreasing due to illegal collecting of plants. A major future reduction in the number of mature individuals is expected should the green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative with its associated renewable energy, housing and transport infrastructure move ahead as planned within the Tsau //Khaeb National Park.

Plants occur on rocky ridges, in fissures and are often partially or wholly covered by wind-blown sand. Plant colonies in the Lüderitz Peninsula that are  known to occur on gypsum substrates are extremely vulnerable to trampling, compacting or other forms of impact on the soil, because this substrate is highly sensitive. The species is possibly the longest lived within the genus Lithops and has generation length of 30 years (Cole and Cole 2005). Although the species is expected to be present as a seedbank and seeds are able to survive long periods in capsules, recruitment seems to be slow and rather episodic. Because the species is clearly confined to a specific habitat and climate, a continuing decline in the quality of the habitat is expected to further negatively impact recruitment.

The subpopulation on the Lüderitz Peninsula is still threatened by illegal succulent collecting.  Whereas the "rubra" form of the species was once abundant on the ridges surrounding Lüderitz, they have largely disappeared. The classic form of the species can still be found in a number of colonies but specimen data confirms that other subpopulations within the boundaries of the Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park (TKNP) were targeted by collectors even though access to the park is has been more difficult in the past than it is now.  The remaining part of the Lüderitz subpopulation will be directly and indirectly impacted by the green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative. There will be direct loss of habitat as a result of road construction to access the proposed harbour and the desalinization plant on the peninsula. Indirect impacts are expected from town expansion, increased pollution and waste management challenges, and an influx of employees who will reside in Lüderitz.  Recent experience from other mining operations indicates that many people will move to Lüderitz to seek employment from the green hydrogen project and associated developments, but will not return to their place of origin if they are unsuccessful. An increased number of residents in Lüderitz will also result in  people exploring the surrounding desert, which will cause habitat destruction of colonies outside of Lüderitz due to off-road driving. In the last two years, poaching of dwarf succulents has increased in the !Karas region, hence an increase in the levels of illegal collection can be expected. The combined threats to the Lüderitz peninsula could very easily cause this subpopulation to go extinct. The second largest subpopulations occur just south of the Lüderitz Peninsula and these fall within the proposed footprint of two large windfarms being developed independent of the green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative. The construction of wind turbines around these subpopulations will cause disturbance of soil and that will lead to increases in sand movement the windfarm just outside Lüderitz is a mere 100–200 m from some of the Lithops colonies. Other subpopulations further south still that are inside the park boundaries may be threatened by coastal diamond mining operations. While the subpopulation at Grillenthal and Bogenfels is threatened by human disturbances and possibly poaching linked with increases in the number of tourist concessions to these historic sites.

The species represents a very popular dwarf succulent in the international ornamental trade. Although the entire genus is well represented in collections worldwide, it is strongly believed that some collectors prefer wild-collected specimens. The "rubra" form of this species has  been described as possibly the most sought-after type of Lithops (Cole and Cole 2005). 

While a number of subpopulations fall within the Tsau //Khaeb National Park the large scale renewable energy green hydrogen projects for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative is planned for this park as well as other independent renewable energy infrastructure development projects. This species is not suitable for search and rescue activities as it is specific to a highly sensitive microhabitat. The most important conservation intervention for this species would be for the green hydrogen project  development footprint to be moved to a less sensitive location. The species is reported from many ex situ collections (BGCI 2022).