As a long-time gardener, I know the struggle of wanting to care for plants but not always having the time to monitor them.
If you’re a busy bee, one option is to grow succulents. These hardy cacti-like plants do not require you to water deeply.
Even among other succulents, one of my personal favorites is the haworthia.
I love haworthia plants for their small size, basic plant care requirements, and the many species under the Asphodelaceae family. Succulent growers typically use them to liven up small spaces.
However, novice gardeners may be unaware of how to care for these new plants. In this guide, I’ll talk all about haworthia and how to maintain these beautiful succulents.
What is Haworthia?
Haworthia is a large genus of succulent plants native to South Africa. These slow-growing plants resemble mini aloe plants, with spiky dark green leaves dotted with white pearls or bands. The common species of haworthia make for great indoor plants.
Across its various subspecies, it grows up to 3-5 inches tall. Other variants may grow 8 inches tall.
The haworthia plant has many popular names to match its numerous hybrids and variations. These are some of its common names:
- Zebra plant
- Pearl plant
- Zebra cactus
- Star window plant
- Cushion aloe
- Horse’s teeth
Haworthia plants require bright light but not direct sunlight. They tolerate temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Their growing season is often from late winter through spring, though other species may grow during summer.
Their hardiness zones are Zones 9-11 in the US. Like all hardy plants, they don’t require too much moisture to survive.
If you have the appropriate light conditions, keep them warm, and avoid over-watering, actively growing most haworthia plants is easy!
However, remember that haworthia are not cold-hardy plants. If your hardiness zone experiences winters colder than 40ºF, they may not thrive.
Different Types of Haworthia
Though the most popular haworthia species have thick leaves and dotted pearl features, I’ve found that different species have their own unique features.
Some have translucent tips or softer fleshy leaves, while others are outdoor plants. Haworthias are closely related to aloes, giving them their distinct spiky leaves.
While there are approximately 150 types of haworthia, some are more popular or commonly found than others. These are some haworthia varieties:
- Baker Haworthia (Haworthia bolusii): This variety has thin, rounded leaves that form a circular, rose-like shape.
- File-Leafed Haworthia (Haworthia limifolia): These haworthias’ dark brownish and rugged leaves give them a sharp knife-like texture.
- Cathedral Window (Haworthia cymbiformis): The Cathedral Window stands out for its plump, fleshy leaves and flower-like shape.
Whether you have a haworthia limifolia, haworthia bolusii, or any of its 150 varieties, research its specific needs.
Fortunately, most species under the haworthia genus have similar light, water, and soil requirements.
How to Take Care of Haworthia
Though haworthia does not require much care and maintenance, they still need basic plant necessities to survive. After all, once you invest in a haworthia plant, ensuring it grows to its full potential only makes sense.
Like other plants I’ve tended to, the haworthia needs four main things: light, soil, water, and air circulation. Its surrounding temperature and pollination options also affect how well it grows.
Light
The haworthia plant thrives in bright light but not under the direct light of the full sun. In their native environment of South Africa, they’re usually found in partial shade under rocks or trees.
Though resilient, avoid placing them under the direct sun as this quickly dries out its soil.
The bright light of the morning sun is helpful for the haworthia, but the harsher, full sun during the afternoon may be too much direct sunlight for its delicate leaves.
If you want to grow your haworthia plant indoors, place it in an area with enough light. I recommend placing them near a south-facing window. Depending on your location, a west-facing window will also work.
Meanwhile, haworthias grown outdoors should be kept in areas with partial shade. Be on the lookout for signs of too much sun exposure, like fading leaf colors.
NOTE: Indoor gardeners can also use grow lights for their indoor Haworthias.
Soil and Fertilizer
Plants love fresh soil; haworthia thrives in fresh sandy or gravel-like soil. When checking its soil, see whether it’s a well-draining type that allows water to flow steadily through its roots.
If you can’t find gravelly soil, adding aquarium gravel to the top of the soil helps as it simulates the gritty texture the haworthia needs.
Aquarium gravel is also a beneficial addition to a potting soil mix, which helps increase water- and airflow through the plant. You can even add perlite or peat moss to the potting soil mix.
Though the haworthia plant doesn’t require constant fertilization, it should ideally be fertilized during its growing periods within the summer months.
Remember to use a diluted, half-strength fertilizer mix and avoid fertilizing it during the winter months.
Water
One golden rule applies to all succulents regarding watering frequency: avoid overwatering.
Since they do best in warm temperatures, the haworthia plant naturally keeps enough water and nutrients within its thick leaves.
Though you should water the soil when the top inch feels dry, do not place it in standing water. Follow this tip to avoid root rot.
Root rot occurs when a plant has too little or too much water, so having the right balance is crucial.
Check that its pot has drainage holes and that your soil mix is well-draining. If you feel excess soil moisture, wait until it’s dry before watering again.
Too much sun exposure also speeds up soil dryness, so keep it away from sunny areas. Keep an eye on your plants if you live in a particularly sunny hardiness zone.
Temperature and Humidity
When placed in an area with semi shade, the haworthia has a better chance of fully growing thanks to the area’s balanced humidity and air temperature.
Haworthias require varying temperature ranges depending on the time of day:
- Daytime: 60°F to 80°F
- Nighttime: 50°F to 55°F
If grown outside of these ranges, the haworthia will grow slower than usual. Be careful if you live in a particularly warm hardiness zone like 11b!
Its ideal humidity range is 40% to 50%. If you live in colder areas, consider keeping a humidifier near these plants to maintain their natural environment.
However, keeping the plant within these ranges is easy if you avoid putting it under the full sun.
Pollination
Unless you grow your haworthia plant outdoors, pollinators cannot reach it and help its small buds bloom. One way to solve this problem is through pollinating the haworthia yourself.
First, check that the two haworthias you plan to pollinate share the same species and flower simultaneously.
Using a pair of tweezers, remove the anther from the first plant. Then, attach it to the stigma of the second plant.
If you’re hand-pollinating, it’s best to do it in the early morning. Cooler temperatures increase the chances of successful pollination.
Haworthia Propagation
When you propagate haworthia, you essentially grow new haworthia from the “pups” or offsets of the parent plant. Offsets are part of the parent plant and may be removed from the mother plant using a sharp knife.
Pull at least 2-inch tall offsets from the main plant and place them into a new pot with the same soil type as the mother plant.
Unless you want hybrids, ensure that you propagate haworthia from the same species.
Wait about 3-4 weeks for the seed pods to mature, which appear very small and may be challenging to collect. Once you have the seed pods, gently plant them into a new pot with the same potting mix as the parent plants.
Potting and Repotting
If you notice that your haworthia needs repotting, wait 24 hours after propagation before repotting it.
Like pollination, ensure you repot the plant into the same type of soil it previously grew in. Place the roots on top of the soil and carefully layer more soil on top of it.
Do not water it immediately; the plant needs time to settle into the pot. Wait at least another 24 hours before watering.
Common Haworthia Problems
Here are some common haworthia problems and how I recommend fixing them.
Overwatering
One of the most common issues you may encounter while growing haworthia is overwatering. You’ll know you’ve overwatered if your plant’s leaves look mushy and discolored.
If the leaves look mushy, you can still save the plant through propagation. Remember to remove any leftover soil and trim affected roots.
Underwatering
Another common problem is underwatering, which causes the leaves to brown. This problem can also occur if the plant doesn’t have enough protection from the sun.
You can solve this by moving the plant to a new area with more shade and changing its watering frequency.
Pests and Fungi
Most pests won’t bother haworthia, but mealybugs are a notable exception. Root rot is a connected issue, as too much water in the soil speeds up the spread of fungi.
These common problems may be avoided by maintaining a regular and consistent watering schedule.
If your haworthia is struggling with pests and fungi, consider spraying it with insecticide or moving it to a different location with more shade.
FAQs
Though the haworthia is generally easy to care for, I’ve answered the following questions to help beginner gardeners. Keep reading to learn more about haworthia care.
Is It Easy to Grow?
Haworthia is easy to care for when kept in its recommended environment.
Avoiding brighter light and maintaining good humidity levels like its natural hardiness zone will help it grow without much maintenance.
Does It Grow Fast?
The haworthia grows slowly and usually remains small and compact-sized depending on the variety.
Are They Invasive?
The haworthia is not invasive. If you grow haworthia outdoors, they do not quickly spread to other plants.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an expert succulent plant grower or a newbie, the pleasing colors and simple care requirements make haworthia excellent container plants.
I love growing and caring for them, so I’m sure you’ll love them too!
Remember to water it only when the soil is dry, and pollinate when necessary. With so many haworthia varieties, anyone can enjoy its natural aesthetics and beautify their home.
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