Let’s look at haworthias (Haworthia spp.). Plant hobbiests rate them as fun collectables and ask for very little care. Haworthias have dark green leaves arranged in a rosette. Leaves are thick and fleshy and end in a pointed tip. Leaves feel leathery to the touch. These succulents are frequently sold as cacti at garden centers.

They’re indigenous to South Africa, including Mozambique and Namibia, where they thrive in rocky soils in the shade of bushes and grasses. The fleshy green leaves of some species are generously covered with white pearly warts or bands, which makes them distinctive in a collection of house plants. They are as easy to grow as echeveria and aloe.

Haworthias are quite easy to grow as houseplants. Outdoors, these succulents generally do best in slightly shaded locations and not in full sunlight. In nature plants are often situated nearby the slight shade of a rock or another plant. They can tolerate direct morning sun, but harsh afternoon rays can burn their foliage. Indoors, haworthias do best near an east- or west-facing window. They can be grown in a variety of containers, best in clay pots with drainage holes.

Similarly, haworthias need adequate moisture in spring-summer with drier conditions in fall-winter. Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer in spring – summer when the plant is actively growing and do not nutrient-feed during the fall and winter months. Room humidity is not important. Provide room air circulation, so avoid very tight stagnant corners of the room.

Haworthias are grown in a loose sandy or gravelly soil with superior drainage. Utilize a cactus potting mix designated for succulent plants mix the soil with perlite, aquarium gravel, or coarse aggregate. Feed plants sparingly during the spring and summer growing season with a cactus fertilizer.

Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dried out during the spring and summer months; the soil should never become waterlogged. In the fall and winter, reduce watering to just enough to keep the leaves plump. Never permit water to collect in the rosette, as this can lead to root and crown rot.

Haworthia species like warm temperatures between 70 – 95 °F in the summer and cool temperatures down to 50 °F in winter. Plants can be damaged when temperatures fall to 40 °F and lower. Humidity isn’t an issue for this plant. Haworthias require is good air ventilation.

More than 100 species of haworthia are found around the world. The main difference among the common species is the size of the leaves and the orientation of the white markings on the leaves. Some popular species include:

• H. margaritifera  also called the pearl plant, is a clumping variety with white speckles on its tentacle-like leaves.
• H. fasciata or “zebra haworthia”, has thick dark green leaves with horizontal white stripes.
• H. bolusii is stemless with fleshy leaves that form a rosette. It is called the spiderweb haworthia due to the fine white hairs growing along the edges of its leaves. This species does best in full sun.
• H. attenuata or “Wart Plant” features white wart-like pearls on both the top and the bottom of its long, pointed green leaves.
• H. truncata or “horse teeth” has square, green leaves that grow in a fan shaped clump; white flowers in late spring.

Propagate haworthia plants is via its offsets (pups); these are the tiny offset plants growing from the base of a parent plant. Remove offsets, using a sharp knife or snips to cut as close to the parent stem as possible and include as many roots. Next, allow the offsets to dry for 1-2 days before potting them in a small pot using the same type of gravelly-based potting soil that the parent plant is growing in.

Haworthias are relatively free of most plant pests. Mealybugs are sap feeders and can be picked off, or swabbed with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or an insecticidal spray. Fungus gnats may become troublesome when the soil is too moist or drainage is poor.