Are you growing tired of the plastic plants on your desk? Do you want to grow plants in your room, minus the fuss and hassle of weekly watering schedules? If you answer yes to these questions, have I got a succulent plant for you!
Haworthia is the name of a large genus of succulents. They have gained popularity all over the world because they are the perfect plants for small containers and small spaces.
The haworthia belongs to the same family as the aloe plant. So you can imagine that these succulents also possess that same fleshy trait. There are more than 150 varieties of haworthias recorded, 60 species named, and you can recognize them by the rosette-shaped appearance in their thick leaves that grow out of the stem.
Of course, there are many more haworthia plants with interesting shapes, patterns, and colors. Some of the haworthia leaves in varying species come in colors of green, dark green, red, or brown. Some leaves have unique marks, lines, bumps, or stripes.
The haworthia plants are native to South Africa and Namibia where their natural environment is rocky with a bit of shade from bushes. These succulents are generally easy to grow. If you’re familiar with aloe plant care or echeveria plant care, the same practices apply to the haworthia.
Like the rest of the succulent family, haworthias will need bright light and less water. They are truly an exciting and worthwhile family of plants and being slow-growing and small, I won’t be surprised if you start your own collection!
Zebra Haworthia Facts
The genus haworthia was named after British Botanist and entomologist Adrian Hardy Haworth. When the haworthia plant was discovered in South Africa in the 1600s, explorers brought some back to Europe.
Plants such as the zebra plant, zebra cactus, pearl plants, cushion aloe, and star window plants are actually common names of the haworthia. This plant is a succulent perennial that is hardy in zone 11.
Most plants stay at 3 to 5 inches only, while a few have been recorded to grow up to 20 inches. Haworthias require a neutral soil pH and a special cactus mix to thrive.
Haworthia Care Guide
The key to the flourishing and survival of your zebra haworthia plant is for you to understand that it is after all a succulent. These are generally plants that do not demand much for their growth. But that doesn’t mean they are impossible to kill. Water is the number one enemy for this plant and too much water will lead to root rot, which spells disaster for any plant!
Light Requirements
When we say cactus or succulent, most immediately imagine these plants in sweltering hot, sun-exposed desert environments. But far from it! Large cactus plants are made for this sunny situation, but most small succulents are not.
In fact, succulents generally are found under the shade of huge rocks, or other trees and shrubs. This makes your zebra haworthia suited for indoor growth!
An ideal location would be a window facing the east or west, this allows the zebra haworthia a few hours of bright light in the morning and then filtered light throughout the day.
Some haworthia species, however, will need full sun, or filtered sun. To get the leaves’ intense green colors and patterns or dark green leaves, provide brighter light conditions.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature for the haworthia species falls in the range of 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle a few degrees of light frost, especially if the soil is dry. But once the temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, your zebra haworthia will get a freezing injury.
There is no need to provide humidity for the haworthia, but you must give it good air circulation. At night, they need to take in carbon dioxide for growth.
Soil Requirements
Keep in mind, that the zebra haworthia is a succulent plant, they do not like their roots to sit in wet soil for long periods. Before you even consider the water requirements, you need to ensure a quality soil mix with proper drainage for your plants. You can do this with quality commercial potting soil mixed with perlite, or poultry grit, gravel, or pumice. The pairing is up to you! Just remember to avoid using sand because it can clog the soil.
The haworthia is a slow-growing plant which means it can stay in the same pot for a long time. Don’t be fooled by their size! Practice changing the potting soil every 2-3 years to give the plant a boost of fresh soil.
Water Requirements
In the summer, you can water your haworthia every week. Make sure the soil is dry before you water. During the winter, water less frequently. Zebra Haworthias are prone to root rot. You can check the appearance of the haworthia to determine if it is experiencing rot. It can look like the leaf size is getting smaller or the leaf is shriveling. One solution is to remove the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. Remove roots that have died and let the haworthias sit unpotted for a week. If you see that the roots look healthier, you can repot in fresh soil.
Container Planting
Because of the size of the zebra haworthia plant (cute), it can be grown in the most creative container of your choosing. They are can be grown in teacups or decorative shoes. Just make sure that the container you’ve planted them into has adequate drainage. If you can’t drill holes into your china, you can add a layer of gravel to the bottom. Also, remember to use a pot that matches the size of your root system. Do not put your plant in a pot that is much bigger than the plant.
Propagation
The quickest way to propagating your haworthias is by taking cuttings of the plant. Majority of the haworthia plant species cluster from the base. The new plant is called offsets or pups. When the new plant is formed by the main plant, they develop strong roots. Most often, once the offsets become well established, they no longer have contact with the main plant. You may also practice a propagation process where you cut or separate the offset plant. Let the offsets air heal before you start potting them in fresh soil.
Haworthia Types
- Haworthia fasciata – a stemless plant that grows leaf tips pointed upward, forming a rosette. This type is most recognizable for its white horizontal stripes on the green leaves.
- Haworthia cuspidata – no stem, but has dense leaves of rosettes. the leaves are soft-gray green in color. The tips are bristly, wedge-shaped, and short.
- Haworthia coarctata – sprouts upright on a stem, covered by curved leaves that form a rosette. The leaf blades have a brownish-green hue.
- Haworthia viscosa – this species has an unusual appearance that’s worthy of attention. It forms a turn and sprouts triangular leaves. The leaf tips spread out and look sharp.
- Haworthia truncate – with a bizarre appearance, this has to be an exciting haworthia variety. Stemless, the dark green leaves are truncated, flat, and semi-translucent at the top.
- Haworthia emelyae – the leaves are truncated and hardly translucent. This haworthia is sprouting without stem, but with pointed leaves. It has a loose rosette form.
- Haworthia angustifolia – this haworthia is sprouts pointed, thin, and slack leaves. The rosette formation has serrated edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plant has dark green leaves with white bumps?
It has leaves that curl inward, looking like rosettes with thick leaves and interesting patterns. This is the haworthia, a plant that’s related to the aloe. They have gained popularity over the years because they are low-maintenance, easy to grow plants, tolerate low light, and do not take up a lot of space.
What kind of potting soil does the haworthia need?
For the best growth of your haworthia plants, use a cactus mix or fast-draining potting soil. Many expert gardeners do not advise using a mix of soil with sand because this combination doesn’t provide good drainage for your water. Instead, use drainage materials like perlite, horticultural pumice, or aquarium gravel.
Do Haworthias need full sun?
No. Too much direct sunlight may burn the leaves of the haworthia plant. Haworthia species like bright light, but it must be partially shaded or filtered.
How often should you water a haworthia?
Water generously in the summer, being sure to let the soil dry out between the next watering session. In the winter, reduce your water schedule to once every other month. Do not let the water stock up and collect in the rosette.
How much sun does a haworthia need?
The ideal sun exposure for the haworthia plant is in partial sunlight. Indoors, haworthias are best placed in a room with an east-facing or west-facing window. This will give them a few hours of sunlight a day but not full light exposure.
How do you take care of haworthia?
Haworthia care is quite similar to the care and attention required of succulents. They are not difficult plants to grow. You need to provide a shaded light source, the windowsill would be most ideal. Do not overwater, keep in mind the change of water requirements in the summer versus the winter. Under no circumstances should their roots sit in water. Haworthia plants are slow-growing and do not need any feeding.