Haworthia

How to choose a haworthia

There are two broad types. The zebra types have stiff, pointed, dark green leaves marked with raised white bands or dots. Wide Zebra Haworthia is one of these, and Haworthia attenuata radula is a zebra form with fine white texturing over the leaf. They are the toughest of the group and forgive a missed watering.

The window leaf types have soft, fat leaves with clear panels at the tips that let light into the leaf. The Duval Haworthia is a selection of Haworthia retusa, which makes a flat, star shaped rosette, and the Veined Haworthia has leaves patterned with a net of pale veins. These need a little more care with light and water. The Savanna Haworthia is a named hybrid for the collector.

All are slow. Most rosettes stay under 10 to 15 centimetres across and build into a clump over several years.

Where haworthia works

Indoors, place a haworthia within a metre or so of a bright window, on a desk, shelf or sill that gets morning sun or filtered light. Outdoors it belongs on a shaded patio or under an eave. Hot direct sun, especially through glass on a western window, scorches the leaves and turns them red brown, while deep shade makes the rosette stretch and lean.

Haworthias grow outdoors year round in frost free tropical, subtropical and warm temperate areas, provided they are kept out of constant rain. In cool temperate districts treat them as indoor plants, or bring pots under cover for winter, because frost damages the leaves. They sit well beside other indoor plants, among our succulents and in any group of plants for pots.

Planting and spacing

Use a cactus and succulent mix with added coarse sand or fine gravel, in a pot with drainage holes. Haworthias have thick roots and prefer a pot only slightly wider than the clump: too much wet mix around the roots leads to rot. Plant with the base of the rosette sitting at the surface, not buried. In a shared bowl allow about 10 centimetres between plants so offsets have room. Repot every two or three years in spring or autumn, which is also the time to divide a crowded clump.

Care basics

Water thoroughly when the mix has dried right through, then let it drain. Haworthias grow mostly in spring and autumn. They slow down in the height of summer and again in winter, so water less in both seasons. Never leave the pot standing in a saucer of water, and avoid letting water sit in the centre of the rosette in cool weather.

Feed lightly once or twice in spring and autumn with a diluted liquid fertiliser. Remove dried lower leaves and check between them for mealybug. Soft, translucent leaves at the base mean the plant has been too wet.

Common questions

Can haworthia grow in low light?

It tolerates less light than most succulents, but it still needs a bright room. In a dim corner it grows weak and stretched.

Why are my haworthia leaves turning brown or red?

Usually too much direct sun. Move it to bright filtered light and the colour returns to green over a few weeks.

How often should I water a haworthia?

Every two to three weeks in spring and autumn is typical indoors, and less often in midsummer and winter. Always check that the mix is dry first.

How do I propagate haworthia?

Separate the offsets that form around the base once they have a few roots of their own, and pot them into dry, gritty mix.