Alligator Plant Haworthiopsis tessellata

The veined haworthia is a small, stemless, evergreen with a star-like rosette of thick green leaves that can be grown as a houseplant or container plant outdoors. This plant is in the daylily family (Asphodelaceae) and is native to South Africa and Namibia. In its native habitat, the plant can be found in dry shaded areas under a bush or in rock crevices. The species epithet, tessellata, is Latin and means "square patterned" which references the leaves.

The veined haworthia prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will cause leaf burn. They are drought tolerant and over watering should be avoided. They will do best in well-drained, cactus or succulent potting mix with coarse sand and perlite. They will tolerate temperatures and humidity levels typically found in the home. They will suffer damage if temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They are intolerant to high humidity which may cause fungal diseases. They are hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b. The plant has stoloniferous roots and can be best propagated by division of offsets or tiny pups that grow at the base of the parent plant.   

The plant is slow-growing and low maintenance, and it will grow 3 to 5 inches tall and 5 to 6 inches wide. It has a clumping, mounding habit that forms a loose rosette of leaves. The leaves are broadly triangular, recurved, firm, and fleshy. Each leaf measures up to 2 inches long and 1.2 inches wide. They are green to brownish with a windowpane pattern and resemble alligator skin. When the leaves are stressed from the bright sunlight or drought, the coloring of the leaf will become a shade of copper or magenta. The leaf margins are recurved and have white teeth. The small, white, tubular flowers grow on slender stalks that are up to 20 inches long.

The veined haworthia is the perfect little plant in warm and dry climate landscapes. As a houseplant, it will fit into small spaces such as your kitchen windowsill.

The genus Haworthiopsis was formerly included within Haworthia (q.v. for a discussion of the differences between the genera).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, scale,and fungus gnats. Root rot can occur from overwatering or poor drainage.