Haworthia

Botanical Name: Haworthia species

If you like small house plants, you'll want to add at least one of these succulents to your collection. This genus offers more than 80 species to choose from and they're all easy to grow.

This stemless succulent grows in a rosette of fleshy, upright green leaves with sharp, pointed tips. The markings vary by species and may be striped or spotted.

Display Idea

Haworthias are small, making them beautiful additions to succulent and cactus dish gardens.

Some species may flower. The blooms are small and grow in clusters on long stems.

What these succulent house plants have in common is a tolerance for neglect. Put them in indirect light and water occasionally and you'll keep them happy for several years.

Watch that water. When watering, avoid getting the leaves wet. Like other succulents, its leaves are prone to rot.

Repot in late spring. It's a good idea to repot haworthias every year or two because they shed their old roots each spring, and giving them fresh potting mix will keep the plants healthy. You'll probably want to propagate offsets at that time anyway.

Haworthias have small roots, so a shallow container will do. If you use a container without drainage holes (as shown below), add a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of pebbles at the bottom to allow good drainage.

Buying Tip

Choose plants based on colors and forms you like. They're all easy to grow.

Want a variety of haworthia succulents? I knew that you would. This Haworthia Collection includes 5 Plants, each in its own 3-inch pot. These beautiful South African succulents are a quick way to start or add to your collection.

Haworthia Growing Tips

Origin: South Africa

Height: 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) tall depending on species.

Light: Bright light. Keep out of direct sun, which can cause its leaves to shrivel.

Water: Allow soil to almost dry out between waterings.

Humidity: Average room humidity.

Temperature: Normal room temperatures (65-75°F/18-24°C) spring through fall. In winter, keep haworthia cooler (around 60°F/16°C) if possible.

Soil: Cactus and succulent potting mix works well. Or combine 2 parts peat-moss based potting mix and 1 part sharp sand.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a fertilizer specially made for succulents. Don't feed in winter when growth has slowed down.

Propagation: Remove offsets in spring and pot in their own containers.