Haworthiopsis
The hard, rough, opaque-leaved species were moved here from Haworthia, and they are the less thirsty half of that split: water them a little less than a soft, window-leaved Haworthia, particularly in winter.
Care
Bright indirect light — it takes more shade than most succulents, and strong direct sun turns the leaves red-brown.
Very low — water thoroughly then let the compost dry out completely; less in winter than the soft-leaved Haworthia, since these hard-leaved species tolerate wet even less.
Gritty, very free-draining cactus compost. A shallow pot suits the shallow root system better than a deep one.
None beyond pulling away shrivelled outer leaves. Cut the spent flower spike off at the base once it has finished.
A very dilute cactus feed once or twice over the summer. These grow slowly by nature and fertiliser does not change that — it mostly loosens the rosette and dulls the white markings.
Detach the offsets that form round the base, each with a few roots, and pot them into gritty compost, watering only after a week. Leaf cuttings work far less reliably than with the soft-leaved Haworthia, so offsets are the method here.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilResume careful watering as growth restarts. how ›
- MayRepot and separate offsets if the pot is crowded. how ›
- NovemberCut watering right back for the winter — this is when most are lost. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilResume careful watering as growth restarts. how ›
- MayRepot and separate offsets if the pot is crowded. how ›
- NovemberCut watering right back for the winter — this is when most are lost. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Leaves going translucent and soft at the base after winter watering.
What to do. Keep almost dry from late autumn to spring; repot into fresh gritty compost, removing rotted roots.
How to spot it. Leaves colouring strongly and folding inwards.
What to do. Sun stress or drought — move out of direct sun and water more regularly in summer.
How to spot it. White cottony clusters between the leaves and on the roots.
What to do. Remove with a cotton bud; check the roots when repotting, since root mealybug is common in this group.
Questions
Haworthiopsis: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — a shallow, well-drained pot on a bright windowsill is the ideal home.
Haworthiopsis: when do you prune it?
None beyond pulling away shrivelled outer leaves.
Haworthiopsis: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May–June.
When do you feed it?
A very dilute cactus feed once or twice over the summer. These grow slowly by nature and fertiliser does not change that — it mostly loosens the rosette and dulls the white markings. Feeding months, UK: May, July.