How to care for Haworthia

Haworthia come in a huge variety of shapes and colours, from spirals to geometric, sculptural forms. They are slow-growing succulents that like warmer temperatures and lower light levels, which makes them well suited to growing indoors. Their main growing season is winter.

Haworthia are native to Southern Africa, where they grow camouflaged among arid, rocky outcrops and have adapted to survive extreme heat with very little water. They are closely related to Gasteria and Aloe and are sometimes called “rock plants” or “crystal plants”. The way they grow helps protect them from animals searching for moisture, and they send up tall, slender flower spikes to attract pollinators while the plant itself stays hidden.

Haworthia cannot tolerate frost or cold, so it’s best to grow them indoors or overwinter them in a greenhouse.

Many Haworthia are strongly sculptural and stand out in any collection. Parts of the leaves are translucent and fleshy, so you can see right into their centre, which is why they are nicknamed “window plants”. They always get people talking, and they photograph well, so their unusual details are great for sharing on social media.

Colour

Part of the fun of growing Haworthia is the range of colours they develop in different heat and light. In low light they often look lush, while stronger light can bring out a much wider range of colours. Some hybrids even have golden metallic lines on their leaves, which give them an electric look.

There are many colourful variegated forms of Haworthia. Because they grow so slowly, these rare plants can fetch high prices. Variegation ranges from yellow to the pink and orange forms that collectors prize most.

Some Haworthia species grow a root system that is large for the size of the plant, with roots that look like parsnips. The roots can expand and reshape a pot over time, so these plants are often grown in ceramic pots.

In the wild, Haworthia grow low to the ground with only the tips of their leaves showing, which saves moisture and hides them from predators. In a pot you can plant them higher and see the whole plant.

Growing tips

Use a gritty mix of 50% soil and 50% perlite and grit, and add an extra-thick layer of top dressing around the base of the plant. We recommend feeding during the growing season. It speeds up growth, though it may make the plant look lusher and can affect its colour.

Water sparingly, and make sure the soil is dry before you water again. When you do water, drench the plant but keep the crown dry. If the plants look dehydrated, you may need to water more often or replant them deeper in fresh substrate. A healthy Haworthia looks full, plump and shiny.

Some growers trim the roots to encourage new root growth. If you do, let the roots heal before you water again.

Thank you for reading!

If you have any other care questions, email us at info@surrealsucculents.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

You can find more of our care guides in the Plant Care & Advice section.

We add new advice all the time. To hear about it, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the page.