Cushion Aloe Haworthia retusa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aloe retusa
- Phonetic Spelling
- ha-WORTH-ee-a re-TOO-suh
- Description
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Haworthia is a large genus of small, perennial, succulent plants in the Asphodelaceae family, native to South Africa. The genus, Haworthia, was formerly known as Haworthiopsis and, over time, species have been moved from one genus to the other depending on the characteristics of their leaves. In general, Haworthia tend to have translucent epidermal windows on the tops of the leaves. Star Cactus (H. retusa) is a flowering succulent plant that forms star-shaped rosettes with its fleshy leaves, hence the common name.The plant is native to a very small area around Riversdale, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The genus name represents the British botanist Adrian Haworth, while the species name refers to the "retused" leaf-shape.
Haworthia tend to have erect or creeping stems from a thick woody root stock and often form small to large groups of plants. In the wild, these plants grow in very harsh conditions and are commonly found buried in sand. For gardeners, they are easy to grow, preferring a well-draining soil mix. While they are somewhat tolerant of low-light conditions, they prefer full sun or bright direct light, which also produces the best colors in the leaves. Star Cactus is not cold tolerant and will not survive a freeze; it is often grown under glass.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Excessive watering can cause root rot. Sensitive to frost.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Haworthia
- Species:
- retusa
- Family:
- Asphodelaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Distribution:
- provinces of South Africa
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule ovoid to oblong, 3-locular. Seeds with angles winged.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, usually white, flowers in 20 inch tall racemes. Peduncle erect, simple, with a few sterile bracts; bracts membranous, small, lanceolate to ovate; pedicels short, ascending.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The thick, triangular leaves are somewhat truncated, the tops covered by a translucent "window" that gives the leaf its triangular shape. Bright light can cause many different colors to develop in the leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought