Haworthias are succulent plants native to southern parts of Africa where they grow in dry, desert like conditions. Most make low-maintenance house plants, as they don’t need frequent watering. There are more than 60 species with an exciting range of leaf shapes and patterns, from Haworthia cooperi with its translucent leaf tips to the white striped Haworthia fasciata, also known as the zebra cactus.
Haworthias are easy to look after – the main thing to remember to keep your plant in good health is to avoid overwatering. They will thrive on an east- or west-facing window in bright light in temperatures that don’t drop below 10ºC. With the right conditions, many haworthias produce flowers in summer, on a long stem.
Haworthia is not toxic to humans or animals.
How to grow haworthias
Grow haworthias on an east- or west-facing windowsill in bright light. Avoid direct sunlight as this may scorch the leaves and water only when the compost has dried out.
Where to grow haworthias
Haworthias do best in a warm room but can grow well in temperature between 10-25ºC. Keep them out of direct sunlight and draughts. They make ideal plants for a sunny living room or conservatory.
How to care for haworthias
Haworthia plants do not need watering often. Let the soil dry out completely and then water it well, allowing it to drain. Then let it dry out again before watering, avoiding the leaves. If water collects between the leaves it can lead to rot. Feed around every three months with a cactus fertiliser. Most succulents do best when pot bound, so repot only once your plant has filled its pot. This could be from around two to five years, depending on the size of your haworthia.
How to prune haworthias
Remove any yellowing or dead leaves using clean tools to avoid infection.
How to propagate haworthia
Haworthias are clump-forming plants that produce offsets, also known as ‘pups’. These ‘baby’ plants can be split off when they reach about a third of the size of the parent plant.
How to remove a pup:
1. Cut or pull away the offset – it should come away fairly easily.
2. Leave the offsets in a tray overnight to let the cut end dry out and harden over.
3. Place in a pot of moist compost to encourage fast root growth.
Pests and diseases
The pest you’re most likely to find on succulents is mealybugs. These are white waxy insects that you’ll find in the crevices of the stems and leaves. Wipe the leaves using a damp, soapy cloth and then rinse this soapy liquid off.
The other thing to look out for is root rot. This is caused by overwatering, which means the compost around the roots is too wet and rot sets in.
