Haworthia Plant Guide: How to Grow Haworthia Succulents

The haworthia plant is a low-grower in the Aloaceae family and is native to a number of countries in Southern Africa, including Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. Many varieties of these succulent plants feature fleshy green leaves that develop in a rosette pattern and are covered in white, pearly bumps or warts. Normally grown as an indoor plant, the haworthia is also known by the common names star window plant, cushion aloe, zebra cactus, and pearl plant.

With a wide variety of types and general ease of care, haworthia are excellent choices for beginner gardeners who are starting a succulent collection.

1. 1. Cooper’s haworthia (Haworthia cooperi): Named after English botanist Thomas Cooper, Coopers haworthia is a slow-growing plant that is recognizable for its short-stemmed rosettes of fleshy leaves. It blooms white flowers from spring to summer.
2. 2. Cathedral window haworthia (Haworthia cymbiformis): Also known as window boats or window haworthia, the cathedral window haworthia is a small succulent with light green rosettes that have transparent tips. Its fleshy leaves are distinguishable by their boatlike shapes. Flowering mid-spring to early summer, the cathedral window haworthia blooms white to pale-pink flowers.
3. 3. Zebra plant (Haworthiopsis fasciata): The zebra plant has triangular leaves with small white bumps on the underside. Its white, tubular flowers bloom in the summer.
4. 4. Fairy washboard (Haworthia limifolia): The rosettes of the fairy washboard are made up of dark green, triangular leaves. Its white, tubular flowers bloom in summer and form in clusters. This haworthia is also known as file-leafed haworthia.
5. 5. Horse’s teeth (Haworthia truncata): Horse’s teeth has unique gray-green leaves that are rough to the touch and form in rows rather than rosettes. This plant blooms white flowers in late spring.

Requiring similar environmental conditions to echeveria and aloe succulents, haworthias are low-maintenance plants that need dry conditions, bright light, and little water. Follow these steps to grow a healthy haworthia plant:

• Plant your haworthia in well-draining soil. Cactus mix generally works well for haworthia plants, as it is made to allow for drainage. You can also mix your soil with pumice or perlite to further improve drainage and help protect the plant from overwatering.
• Place your plant in bright, indirect sunlight. If the plant’s leaves begin to turn white or yellow, it’s generally a sign that it is receiving too much direct sunlight, while faded green coloring indicates too much shade.
• Keep your haworthia in a warm growing environment. Warmer summer temperatures are ideal for haworthia species. You can move your haworthias outdoors during the warmer months, but do so gradually, or your plants will be prone to sunburn in full sun. In the winter, these plants can handle a cooler environment, but temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit are harmful to this plant.
• Water your haworthia according to the season. Like many succulents, haworthias require more water in the summer than winter. Thoroughly soak the soil in the summer months and allow it to dry completely before watering again to avoid root rot. These plants only require water every other month in the wintertime.
• Repot your haworthia when it has outgrown its pot. Spring or early summer is the best time to repot haworthias with fresh potting soil mix to encourage growth.
• Propagate haworthia plants in the spring or early summer. New haworthia plants can be propagated through seeds, offset division, or cuttings, depending on the variety of the plant.

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