Haworthia succulent plants
Haworthia is a large genus of small succulent plants endemic to Southern Africa (Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa).[1]
Like the aloes, they are members of the subfamily Asphodeloideae and they generally resemble miniature aloes, except in their flowers, which are distinctive in appearance. They are popular garden and container plants.
Taking Care of Your Haworthia
Light
In nature, Haworthia tends to grow in the shade of rocks or shrubs, so they have evolved to need partial shade. They like bright but not direct light, so they perform best in east or west-facing windows. If you notice the leaves on your Haworthia beginning to turn white or yellow, this could be a sign that it is receiving too much light. On the other hand, if your plant is not receiving enough sunlight, the green-ness of the leaves will begin to fade. If your plant is looking rough and you think it might want more water, try actually giving it more shade pgslot.
Water
Overwatering is probably the number one cause of death of Haworthia. They are extremely sensitive to “wet feet.” The microclimates that Haworthia has adapted to are extremely various, so some species need vastly different care. For example, there are species from the southwestern Cape adapted to winter rain, while species from different areas are extremely averse to winter wetness. Of course, any Haworthia you bring home will act differently based on the conditions you provide (ie: house temperature, light exposure, potting medium, etc.). In general though, for the species that you will find in your average plant shop in the U.S., you should water only once soil has completely dried. If you are unsure if you should water, wait a week. It’s a lot easier to bring a plant back from underwatering than overwatering.joker slot
Temperature
Plants are susceptible to death when exposed to temperatures 40(F) and under. If you bring your plants outside (which you definitely can), bring them in when temperatures reach 50(F) to be on the safe side. slot joke.I have lost a Haworthia to cold before, and it’s a very sad loss.
Ventilation
Many Haworthias grow on mountain-sides in their natural state, often exposing them to harsh winds. As they evolved, they adapted to the wind and now thrive in windy locations. You can simulate wind by keeping a fan running on low near your Haworthias. This will provide the adequate ventilation they need, which will actually help prevent pests and keep them healthy (Bokelman 2016).joker slot191
Soil
Haworthias grow well in virtually any porous, well-draining soil. A succulent/cacti bagged soil mix will work great. If you amend your own soil, make sure to add lots of perlite or pumice for proper drainage. A standard soil mix of 1:1:1 of sand, loam, and compost will work as well (Bayer 1974).
Containers
Most Haworthias produce thick, dense, and short roots, so they should be planted in wide, shallow containers. This makes sense if you think about how they grow in their natural habitat, oftentimes among rocks and shrubs with limited soil around them.
Fertilization
The growing season of Haworthia really varies from species to species and can change with the current habitat they’re growing in. Some are winter growers, while others put out most of their growth in summer and are dormant in winter. As a good rule of thumb, use a cactus/succulent fertilizer to fertilize Haworthia once in spring and then again once in fall. They are not big feeders at all, which is a result of the lack of nutrients in the soils they grow in naturally on harsh mountain sides (Bokelman 2016).
Pests
Haworthias tend to be pest-free, “with the exception of mealybugs and scale.” Mealy bugs look like tiny, fluffy cotton balls. You can “remove them with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol”. Scale is a tan or brown insect covered with a waxy coating that looks like a raised bump; eliminate the same as recommended for mealybugs or apply a systemic insecticide (Bokelman 2016). joker slot191
Propagation
The most common way to propagate Haworthia is by separating and replanting the pups (new offshoot plants) that form from the mother plant. They can also be propagated by leaf cuttings, division, and seed, but these are less common for the household hobbyist and oftentimes do not survive. You can propagate them at any time of the year.
Thank you for reading! I am very excited to start this new series of “Succulent Showcase” to share scientific information about the succulents we love. Please follow us on Instagram or Facebook to know as soon as we post new articles!
Katie Plummer , Jack Frost Director of Marketing and Communications slot
Sources
Bayer, B. (1999). “Haworthia Revisited — Landscape and habitat.”
Bayer, B. (1975). “Haworthias — small relatives of Aloe.”
Bayer, B. (1973). “Leaf spirals in Haworthia.”
Bokelman, K. (2016). “HAWORTHIAS: Winter’s Windowsill Wonders.” Hobby Greenhouse Magazine.
Mahr, D. (2005). “Haworthias — Super Succulents for Small Spaces.”
University of Wisconsin — Madison.
Vosa, C. G. (2004). “On the classification of some species of the genus Haworthia, subgenus Haworthia (Asphodelaceae).” International Journal of Cytology, Cytosystematics and Cytogenetics.
