Haworthia (ha-WORTH-ee-uh) succulents are attractive houseplants that originated in Southern Africa. They’re members of the Asphodeloideae subfamily and bear a resemblance to aloes.
These perennial plants are mostly found in South Africa, Namibia, southern Mozambique, and Eswatini.
There are around 160 different species of Haworthia. Some of the most common ones are Haworthia fasciata (Zebra Plant), Haworthia nortieri (Cederberg Haworthia), Haworthia zantneriana (High Haworthia), and Haworthia cooperi (Cooper’s Haworthia).
Haworthia Succulent Care
Size & Growth
Haworthia is generally small. It usually doesn’t exceed five inches in height. It grows slowly, especially if the growing conditions aren’t ideal.
Although the plant itself is rather small, the flower stem can grow substantially. Haworthia can flower multiple times and reach several inches. Sometimes, it forms clusters of rosettes.
Flowering and Fragrance
Your haworthia should start blooming during summer. They don’t grow flowers from their tips or leaves like most plants. Instead, they grow flowers from their stems. There’s no noticeable fragrance in haworthias.
The flowers occasionally grow into clusters. They look like a white star with a yellow middle. The flowers are skinny and fairly long, resembling the shape of aloe veras.
After flowering, haworthias will continue to grow. They’re not monocarpic plants, meaning they’re able to flower several times before dying.
Light & Temperature
Haworthia leaves can burn if left in direct sunlight. This is why the best growing conditions for these succulents are bright, but indirect, sunlight.
We recommend you choose a window facing east, west, or south. The temperatures should range from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures can significantly slow down growth, while higher temperatures will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide used in photosynthesis.
Humidity levels should ideally fall between 25% to 30%. However, haworthia can tolerate any humidity levels as long as the soil retains its moisture.
Watering and Feeding
Watering is critical when growing any succulents. For haworthia, it’s no different. Make sure you only water them when the soil feels completely dry.
Water the soil every couple of weeks during summer and less often during winter. Never leave the plants sitting in water. This will cause them to rot.
Remember, even if the soil remains dry for a few days, it’s perfectly okay. Haworthias are able to store water in the leaves for extended periods of time. It’s always better to water them less rather than more.
You can fertilize your haworthia during the growing season during summer and spring. Cactus fertilizer works best. There’s no need to fertilize the plants beyond the growing season, and you should avoid using fertilizers in the winter and fall.
Soil & Transplanting
The ideal soil for haworthias should be moisture-retentive and offer good drainage. 4mm particles are perfect for drainage.
We recommend coarse sandy soil with gravel, perlite, or pumice. We love cactus soil because it provides a fast-draining growing medium for the succulents.
Although haworthias don’t tolerate root disturbances, you should repot your succulents in a bigger container every three to four years. This will ensure the plants don’t outgrow their original rooting medium and maintain a healthy root system.
Grooming And Maintenance
There’s usually no need to groom haworthias. However, if the stems are growing out of control, you can trim the stems a little.
The stems can go over 15 inches long. If you don’t want your plant to take up a lot of space, use a pair of sharp scissors to trim down a few inches.
Don’t forget to sterilize the scissors and apply rubbing alcohol to the wound. Use a sterilized paper cloth to wipe off any oozing.
How To Propagate Haworthia Succulent
Propagating haworthias is fairly simple. Look for offsets on the base of the plant. Cut the offsets and make sure you leave some roots connected to them.
Then, leave the offsets to dry for 24 hours. Prepare a soil similar to the soil of the parent plant. From there, all you need to do is plant the offsets and wait a few days before watering.
Remember, don’t water the actual plant. Just add a little water to the soil and expose it to bright, indirect sunlight.
Haworthia Succulent Pests or Diseases
Haworthia is one of the few plants that have no notable pests. You can have a gnat infestation if you keep the soil wet for prolonged times. However, the plant will most likely die before the gnats get to them.
High humidity can also cause fungal infections or rot issues. By far, the most common problems with growing haworthias are overheating and overhydration.
Suggested Haworthia Succulent Uses
Since haworthias are able to thrive in shaded areas, you can plant them almost anywhere. Try growing them in pots around the house as a single specimen.
You can also add them to your garden with other succulents. Just make sure you don’t expose them to direct sunlight.