Haworthia
Common Name(s):
- 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, succulants in the Haworthiopsis genus have opaque, linear leaves, either basal or rosette, with white spots on the back of the leaves. On some species, these spots are joined to form bands. Haworthia, on the other hand, tend to have translucent epidermal windows on the tops of the leaves. Note that the divisions among these genus are still being debated.
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.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Excessive watering can cause root rot. Sensitive to frost.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. retusa
- Tags:












- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. retusa
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Haworthia
- Family:
- Asphodelaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Distribution:
- Mexico
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 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 Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, usually white, flowers. Peduncle erect, simple, with a few sterile bracts; bracts membranous, small, lanceolate to ovate; pedicels short, ascending.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- 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
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- While leaf shape and arrangement varies among species, all form characteristic "windows" of translucent epidermis on and around the tops of the leaves. Most are rosulate or "cross-shaped" in growth, and some may have teeth along the margins. Depending on species, leaves can range from 1 to 12 inches in diameter. 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
- Rock Wall
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought