Small, rosette-forming succulents from South Africa. Many types produce offsets to form dense, spreading colonies. Fleshy leaves may be slender and rough textured or pillowlike and smooth; some have small white bumps or ridges. Tiny flowers are held on long, whiplike stems from spring to late fall; these may be clipped off as they fade to keep plants tidy.
Haworthias are well suited to containers, and their small size and tolerance of low humidity make them good houseplants. In pots or in the ground, provide sandy, fast-draining soil that is allowed to dry out between waterings. Protect from frost and hot sun. Acclimate nursery plants to the garden gradually, or the leaves may sunburn. Numerous species and hybrids make these variable plants popular with collectors.
haworthia attenuata
- Similar to Haworthia fasciata, but inner leaf surface is dotted with white bumps.
haworthia cymbiformis
- To 3 inches high, looking something like a small, chubby artichoke.
- Wedge-shaped leaves have light and dark green markings.
zebra plant
haworthia fasciata
- To 6 inches high.
- Rigid, dark green leaves up to 3 inches long are slender and triangular; each leaf is smooth on the inner surface and banded with raised white horizontal ridges on the outside.
- Give just enough sun to make outer leaves blush red-orange.
