Haworthia Plants Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Problems & Solutions
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Haworthia grow best in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and slightly moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Haworthia Plants are some of the popular succulent plants that you can grow in the home. Some Haworthias have firm, tough, fleshy leaves, usually dark-green in color while others are softer and contain leaf windows with translucent panels through which sunlight can reach internal photosynthetic tissues.
The Haworthia Plants resemble miniature Aloes except in their flowers which are distinctive in appearance, white and small. The size of the rosette of leaves varies between 1.2-12 inches in diameter placing Haworthia among the best plants for limited spaces like an office desk, study table among others.
The succulent leaves store water and allow these plants to survive well in drought conditions which makes Haworthia some of the best plants with low water needs.
Being sun-loving plants with low water needs, places Haworthia among the best low-maintenance plants for a sunny balcony.
However, when these plants are stressed like when deprived of water for too long, their color can change to reds and purple. If deprived of nitrogen the leaves become paler.
Haworthia fasciata
Botanical name: Haworthia
Family: Asphodelaceae
Sufamily: Asphodeloideae
Origin
Haworthia Plants are endemic to Southern Africa; Mozambique, Namimbia, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa.
Varieties
Some popular types of Haworthia for indoors include Haworthia attenuata, Haworthia pumila, Haworthia papillosa, Haworthia fasciata, Haworthia reinwardtii, Haworthia cooperi among others. Check out these popular Haworthia succulents perfect for growing indoors.
Are Haworthia toxic?
No. Haworthia Plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are among the pet-safe plants that you can grow in any space.
Related Plants
Haworthia genus is closely related to the genera Aloe and Gasteria. The species of these genera are known to hybridise relatively easily with each other.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add the spectacular Haworthia plants to your collection. Check them out online on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
How to care for Haworthia indoors
To care for Haworthia indoors, give it bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 50-55% and slightly moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Haworthia require annual repotting to thrive. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Haworthia attenuata
Light Requirements
Haworthia grow best in bright light with 6-8 hours of morning or late afternoon direct sunlight. Keep them away from hot midday sunshine as it can scorch the leaves.
If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may grow the plant under a grow light to supplement it as bright light is necessary for lush growth.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives adequate light on all sides to prevent lopsided growth.
Should you choose to take your Hawothia outdoors, acclimate it gradually and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching.
Watering
Water Haworthia thoroughly during the growing season until water comes out through the drainage holes but allow the soil to almost dry out between waterings.
Significantly, decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock as it can result in stunted growth. To avoid staining and browning, water with chlorine-free water.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Avoiding wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting and fungal diseases: you may water from the bottom instead.
Temperature & Humidity
Haworthia flourish in warm temperatures of 18-260C. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent plant as it mimicks its natural arid conditions.
Haworthia Plants have no need for high humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Ensure that there is good air circulation to avoid fungal disease infestations.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Haworthia is fertile, loose and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy. It should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Most Cactus and succulents potting mixes are ideal for Haworthia.
Fertilizer
Feed Haworthia Plant monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing period for lush growth. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repot Haworthia Plant once every year at the beginning of the growing season as this will ensure a healthy and vigorously growing plant.
Use a shallow rather than a deep pot for Haworthia Plant as it has shallow roots. A clay pot is preferable because it is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster.
The pot for Haworthia Plant should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Confirnm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent rotting. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Haworthia Plant only requires removal of dead or diseased leaves to maintain the plant tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves at the base with a sharp, sterilized knife or pair of pruning scissors to detach them from the stem. As much as possible avoid excessive injury to the plant.
Haworthia Propagation
Haworthia Plants is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant.
Propagating Haworthia Plants from Offsets
- Seperate the offset from the mother by cutting with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors to avoid excessive injury to the plants. Select an offset which has several leaves.
- Allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to prevent rotting.
- Plant the offset in free-draining soil and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
- Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry and avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
- Allow the new plant to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
Haworthia reinwardtii
Haworthia Plant Problems & Remedies
Haworthia Plants problems indoors are wilting & drooping leaves, wilted & discolored leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Wilting & drooping leaves
Wilting and drooping leaves on Haworthia Plant are due to underwatering.
How to fix it
Immediately water the plant thoroughly and it should recover.
Water the plant liberally while allowing the soil to almost dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry our completely.
Wilted & discolored leaves
Wilted and discolored on Haworthia Plant are caused by overwatering during the cold season. Water the plant very infrequently during the cold season and always allow the soil to almost dry out between waterings.
Pests
Common pests on Haworthia Plant are scales and mealybugs which are prevalent in too dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturers.
- Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned and elevate humidity to depress the pest infestations.
Diseases
Haworthia are prone to the following two diseases:
1. Leaf spot disease The disease is characterized by brown soft leaf spots and is promoted by poor air circulation.
How to fix it
- Always ensure that there is good air circulation to minimize infestation by this disease.
- Treat the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Avoid wetting the leaves during watering; water from the bottom instead.
- Make sure that there is good air flow for the plant.
2. Basal stem-rot disease which presents as rotting at base followed by yellowing and shriveled leaves.
How to fix it
- Remove and discard the infected parts to prevent spread to the rest of the plant.
- Significantly reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist.
- Use a fungicidal solution ocassionally to prevent infection.
- Water the plant from bottom to avoid wetting the foliage.
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