How to grow Haworthia

Haworthiopsis attenuata · zebra plant, zebra haworthia

A small, slow-growing South African succulent forming rosettes of stiff, pointed dark green leaves with raised white bands. Long-lived and compact, it suits a windowsill or desk.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Asphodelaceae
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 10 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Sow straight into the bed after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 14 days	16…27 °C	phosphorus and potassium, 44 days into the stage; phosphorus and potassium, 104 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 30 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright indirect light gives the best leaf colour; it tolerates lower light, but the white pattern fades. Hot direct sun scorches the leaves.

Soil

Free-draining peat-free cactus compost in a pot with drainage holes; never leave the pot standing in water.

Care

Water sparingly in spring and summer, only when the compost is nearly dry, and feed once or twice with a half-strength, low-nitrogen fertiliser. In winter give it a cool, dry rest with only an occasional light watering, and keep it above 10 °C; overwatering, especially in winter, makes it rot. Rainwater or filtered water is best, as fluoride in tap water can mark the leaves. Separate offsets to propagate. It is non-toxic to pets and people.

Pests and diseases of Haworthia

Scale insects

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.