How to Grow and Care for Zebra Haworthia

On this article, you’ll be taught concerning the origins of this distinctive plant and its basic wants by way of mild, water, soil, and local weather.

Whereas we’ll focus totally on rising it as a houseplant, we’ll additionally contact on outside cultivation for these of you in hotter zones.

When you’ve by no means grown zebra haworthia earlier than, this info will get you off to a wonderful begin together with your new houseplant.

Alternatively, in case you’ve tried rising zebra haworthia, and (let’s simply say it) – failed, you’ll be taught what could have gone unsuitable.

Preserve studying and the subsequent time you carry one in every of these enticing little succulents house, you’ll be ready to develop a cheerful, wholesome, and long-lived houseplant.

On this information, we’ll be masking all it’s essential know to develop and take care of zebra haworthias.

Earlier than we get began, you’ll want to additionally learn or bookmark our full information to rising haworthias in case you’re searching for extra basic steerage.

Right here’s what’s arising:

What Is Zebra Haworthia?

Zebra haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata) is a small succulent with spiky leaves that develop in a horny rosette form.

Because the plant matures, it types a mat-like clump because it produces offsets, or child vegetation, alongside the mom plant.

Particular person vegetation are round two and a half to 6 inches large, and two and a half to 10 inches tall – with leaves rising to about three inches lengthy.

The darkish inexperienced, succulent leaves are slender with pointed ends and variegated sorts are darkish inexperienced with yellow, white, pink, orange, or mild inexperienced variegation.

The darkish inexperienced components of the leaves tackle copper, crimson, or purple hues as vegetation are uncovered to extra direct daylight.

The leaves have raised, white markings on their surfaces often known as tubercles, the aim of those is to permit the plant to increase and contract with fluctuating water availability.

This is without doubt one of the many great options that makes zebra haworthia such an adaptable houseplant!

Whereas finest recognized for the striped patterns that give this plant its frequent title, zebra haworthia, completely different kinds of the species have completely different tubercle patterns.

These marks give the foliage a tough texture, and might help succulent lovers acknowledge distinct varieties – however not at all times simply. Even on the identical plant there may be variation, making identification considerably difficult.

Although these succulents could not flower when grown indoors, in summer season vegetation grown outside could produce small, white, tubular flowers on stalks that may be as much as 15 inches tall.

Cultivation and Historical past

This succulent is native to Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland, the place it grows in sparsely vegetated, rocky and grassy habitats amongst bigger vegetation that present some shade from the recent solar.

With its aloe-like form, it might not shock you to be taught that zebra haworthia was first categorized botanically in 1804 within the Aloe genus.

In 1812 the species was reclassified as a member of the Haworthia genus, a grouping of vegetation recognized specifically for his or her translucent inexperienced leaves.

However – since there’s by no means a uninteresting second in taxonomy! – in 2013 and 2014, the Haworthia genus was subdivided, with a few of its members reclassified as Haworthiopsis, and others renamed as Tulista.

Whereas the genus Haworthia is called after botanist Adrian Haworth, Haworthiopsis means fairly merely “like Haworthia.” The species epithet, attenuata, refers back to the method wherein the leaves taper to a degree.

Regardless of these botanical reclassifications, zebra haworthia stays categorized within the Asphodelaceae household, associated to such succulent cousins as Christmas carol aloe, lace aloe, gasteria, and aloe vera – but in addition to much less apparent kin like daylilies and crimson scorching pokers!

Inside the Haworthiopsis genus, this succulent has some shut kin that additionally make good houseplants – H. coarctata and H. reinwardtii.

Zebra haworthia can also be generally known as zebra plant, although there are different houseplants that go by that title – reminiscent of Aphelandra zebra plant, and calathea zebrina, a kind of prayer plant.

One other species that can also be known as zebra plant is without doubt one of the members of the Haworthiopsis genus – H. fasciata. Actually, many nurseries incorrectly label H. attenuata as H. fasciata. The latter is definitely reasonably uncommon in cultivation.

Zebra haworthia is susceptible in its native habitat on account of over-collecting and habitat loss – so ensure you buy yours from a nursery devoted to sustainable rising practices.

For these in hotter climates, this succulent may be grown outside 12 months spherical in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11.

Zebra Haworthia Propagation 

There are a number of alternative ways you’ll be able to propagate new Haworthiopsis vegetation – together with through offsets, which is the tactic we’ll cowl right here.

When you’d like steerage for beginning new vegetation utilizing alternate strategies, you’ll want to learn our information to propagating succulents.

Along with propagation through offsets, we’ll additionally cowl tips on how to transplant offsets and vegetation bought on the nursery or backyard middle.

From Offsets

Zebra haworthias produce offsets – also referred to as pups – across the base of the mom plant.

When you’d prefer to propagate these offsets, you’ll want wait till they’ve roots of their very own. You may decide this by eradicating the plant from its pot and analyzing the outer fringe of the foundation ball.

Roots could not type till the offset is roughly half the scale of the mom plant. As soon as the offset has roots, be sure that to propagate throughout a interval of lively progress – spring or summer season.

Earlier than returning the mom plant to its pot or transplanting the offsets, permit the injuries from the cuts to callus over for a couple of week. Throughout this time, merely place the vegetation on a plate in a dry location out of direct daylight.

As soon as the injuries have callused, transplant the pups, and return the mom plant to its pot.

From Transplants

When potting up offsets or repotting mature vegetation, you’ll want rising medium, reminiscent of the combination really useful above.

If you wish to repot a specimen that has outgrown its pot, you’ll additionally want a brand new container – keep in mind to decide on one which’s only one measurement bigger than the present container.

Additionally – I’ve stated it earlier than, I’ll say it once more – be sure that to decide on a pot that has drainage holes.

When you’ve got your coronary heart set on a specific ornamental pot that has no drainage holes, pot the houseplant right into a nursery pot with holes that can match inside your fancier container. That method you’ll be able to take away the succulent from its ornamental cachepot when watering.

4-inch-wide pots are measurement for offsets, and may additionally work for particular person vegetation that haven’t but matured into clumps, relying on the scale of the foundation mass of the specimen.

If the plant is turning into considerably rootbound, loosen the roots. You should use a fork to tease the roots aside if wanted.

Place the foundation ball into the pot and examine to see whether it is positioned on the proper stage – you need a half inch to an inch of house between the highest of the rising medium and the rim of the pot. Take away or add rising medium if wanted.

As soon as the plant is on the proper stage, fill in round it with extra rising medium, tapping it down gently to take away any air pockets.

As an alternative of watering immediately, wait per week earlier than watering freshly transplanted zebra haworthias.

Find out how to Develop Zebra Haworthia

Zebra haworthias are straightforward to take care of, making these succulents wonderful decisions as houseplants.

Once you select a specimen, be sure that to examine it for indicators of illness or pests – you’ll be taught what to search for later within the article, so preserve studying.

Though these succulents are generally wrongly known as cacti, they aren’t effectively tailored to residing their lives in full solar all day lengthy. As an alternative, when rising outside situate them in mild shade the place they are going to obtain a number of hours of direct solar in the course of the cooler components of the day.

Indoors, supply these vegetation oblique shiny mild, probably with three to 4 hours of direct solar within the morning.

Remember that with elevated mild depth, these succulents will develop reddish coloring on the leaves. Very crimson leaves could imply your plant is uncovered to an excessive amount of direct daylight.

Conversely, in case your zebra haworthia begins to look mild inexperienced and even whitish on the middle reasonably than darkish inexperienced, know that your plant shouldn’t be getting sufficient mild.

When you’re utilizing a mild meter, purpose for round 500 to 1000 foot candles – in case you aren’t in a position to obtain that in your house, think about using a develop mild to complement.

Be taught extra about utilizing a lightweight meter in our article.

Whereas these succulent vegetation have a pure means to retailer water, the quantity of moisture your zebra haworthia will want is immediately associated to the quantity of sunshine the houseplant receives. In case you are offering some direct solar, you’ll must water extra typically.

Don’t water till the rising medium is sort of utterly dry – besides in winter, when it is best to let the soil dry out solely. This can be so long as a month or extra, relying on the situations in your house.

When you aren’t certain whether or not it’s time to water or not, err on the aspect of underwatering reasonably than overwatering. You’ll do much less harm with a little bit of neglect than with an excessive amount of care.

Be sure to water the floor of the soil evenly, and provides it drench till water runs out of the drainage holes within the backside of the pot.

Are you questioning in case you want filtered water to your houseplant?

Learn our article to be taught extra about the perfect water for succulents.

Relating to rising medium, as mentioned beforehand on this article, select a combination that could be very gritty or begin with a business cactus and succulent combine and add further grit. The best soil pH is 6.1 to 7.8.

Zebra haworthias develop finest when temperatures are between 70 to 95°F and so they want good air circulation.

Some gardeners report that these succulents endure chilly harm at temperatures under 50°F, whereas others declare they’re tolerant of temperatures all the way down to freezing or barely under.

So in case you are rising your Haworthiopsis plant outside for a part of the 12 months, you’ll wish to watch the thermometer and you’ll want to return your succulent indoors in autumn earlier than the climate cools.

Need to be taught extra about rising succulents outside? Make sure to learn our article!

Rising Suggestions

• Present shiny oblique mild and up to a couple hours of direct daylight.
• Develop in well-draining, gritty soil.
• Permit the potting medium to dry nearly utterly between waterings.

Upkeep

With regards to sustaining your succulent, there are just a few issues to concentrate on: pruning the leaf suggestions, repotting, and fertilizing.

Let’s begin with pruning.

There are various factors that may trigger the guidelines of a zebra haworthia succulent to show brown: excessive temperatures, an excessive amount of direct solar, and inadequate water.

In case your houseplant is constantly producing brown suggestions, you could must re-read the care suggestions on this information that will help you regulate lighting and water.

Within the meantime, although, if the brown suggestions trouble you, you’ll be able to select to prune them. Use a sterilized pair of sharp backyard pruners to snip off the brown suggestions.

Since zebra haworthias are sluggish rising vegetation, you received’t must repot these succulents fairly often – solely each two to a few years.

When that two or three 12 months mark comes round, plan to repot throughout spring or summer season, when the houseplant is in an lively interval of progress.

When it’s time to repot, you could have the selection of merely altering out the rising medium and returning the specimen to the identical pot, or potting as much as a bigger container.

Test the roots and if the specimen is rootbound or filling up the pot with offsets, you’ll want to decide on a brand new container that’s one measurement bigger.

Be sure the pot has drainage holes, and in case you are reusing a container, you’ll want to clear it and wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide.

If the roots haven’t outgrown the present container and also you’re simply altering out the potting medium, take away the outdated rising medium and add it to your compost pile, then proceed with repotting as mentioned within the transplanting part above.

Fertilizing shouldn’t be one thing you’ll must do typically to your zebra haworthia, including to the low upkeep attraction of this succulent.

Clariperla

The markings on Haworthia attenuata var. clariperla don’t type stripes. As an alternative, they appear to be scattered pearls of various sizes.

These gem-like tubercles are unfold on each the tops and the undersides of the leaves.

Glabrata

H. attenuata var. glabrata is a range that has fewer tubercles, giving the plant a smoother look than the straight species.

Also referred to as Haworthiopsis concolor, this selection can also be a lighter shade of inexperienced than the species.

Enon

H. attenuata var. attenuata ‘Enon,’ also referred to as H. attenuata f. Enon or H. attenuata f. tanba is a dwarf type of the species that reaches simply three to 5 inches tall.

The brief leaves give them a triangular form, and they’re speckled with white tubercles.

This type of the species is a cliff dweller, and the leaf topsides are sometimes clean reasonably than marked with tubercles.

Radula

Whereas the straight species has giant tubercles that type stripes, the leaves of H. attenuata var. radula are densely lined with tiny tubercles, giving the foliage a reasonably tough texture.

These small, quite a few white markings additionally give these houseplants a silvery look.

Variegata

H. attenuata f. variegata is a type of the species that has variegation which may be silvery white, yellow, pink, or orange.

Listed here are a number of points to look out for as you select a houseplant, and when you carry the zebra haworthia house:

Bugs

Zebra haworthia is kind of resilient and isn’t simply broken by most pests, making it an easy-care houseplant.

In case you are bringing house a brand new specimen or have positioned your houseplants exterior for the summer season, examine the Haworthiopsis for these bugs:

Fungus Gnats

Have you ever seen small flies zipping round your houseplant? These are possible fungus gnats.

Fungus gnats are extra of an issue round vegetation with moist potting medium that comprises lots of natural matter.

So if in case you have been a bit heavy handed with the watering can or introduced your houseplant house in a rising medium that comprises peat, you might have by accident created a welcoming atmosphere for these bugs.

Whereas they are usually extra of a nuisance than an actual pest, if populations get uncontrolled, their larvae can harm the roots of the houseplant.

There are alternative ways you’ll be able to management these bugs on houseplants, however first ensure you determine the pests appropriately.

Discover ways to determine and management fungus gnats in our information.

As soon as you establish that fungus gnats are certainly an issue to your succulent – re-evaluate your watering routine and examine your potting medium.

If the rising medium is simply too excessive in natural matter, contemplate repotting with the kind of combine really useful above.

Mites

Do you see mild brown scarring on the perimeters of the foliage? If that’s the case, your succulent could have a mite infestation.

There are several types of mites that may infest succulents and the worst of them are inconceivable to see with no microscope, making recognizing and treating the issue a bit difficult.

Earlier than treating a mite infestation on a houseplant, ensure you’ve appropriately recognized the pest.

Learn our information to be taught extra about figuring out and controlling mites on succulents.

Mealybugs

When mealybugs present up, they’re normally noticeable by their white, fuzzy look.

However not all mealybugs feed on the foliage of vegetation – and you could be extra more likely to discover these bugs feeding on the roots of your zebra haworthia than on its robust, succulent foliage.

Since they’re under the rising medium, root mealybugs are exhausting to detect, and you could not even see indicators of harm on the aboveground portion of the houseplant – although an infestation can finally trigger yellowing foliage and stunted progress.

To examine your specimen for root mealybugs, elevate the succulent out of its pot and examine the outer fringe of the foundation ball.

Root mealybugs appear to be grains of rice. They are often troublesome to distinguish from small items of perlite within the soil, however seize a magnifying glass and look intently – mealybugs have brief antennae and generally clump collectively. They’ll be on the plant’s roots in the event that they’re there.

When you verify that there are root mealybugs in your succulent, firstly – quarantine your plant in order that these bugs don’t unfold to your different houseplants.

Subsequent, it’s time to wash the roots and repot!

Take away the plant from its pot, then brush off as a lot of the rising medium as doable and get rid of it.

Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and dab the mealybugs to kill them. You may additionally wish to put some rubbing alcohol in a twig bottle and spray the foundation ball.

Discard the outdated potting medium, wash and sterilize the pot, and add recent rising medium.

You could must repeat this course of till the pests are gone.

Be taught extra about controlling mealybug infestations with our article.

Illness

The primary illness you’re more likely to encounter with these succulents is root rot, a situation normally introduced on by a mixture of overwatering and inadequate mild ranges.

Nevertheless, lack of drainage holes in pots and poorly draining rising medium may contribute to this illness.

Root rot can really make vegetation dry out, and you could discover shriveled leaves.

Prevention is finest – comply with the sunshine and water suggestions indicated above, and select each a pot and rising medium that present wonderful drainage.

Be taught extra about stopping and managing rotting in succulents in our information.

Greatest Makes use of for Zebra Haworthia

Along with preserving a single specimen or clump in a pot, zebra haworthia can be grown in blended succulent planters with vegetation which have related progress necessities, reminiscent of jade, echeveria, and hens and chicks.

When you’re feeling particularly whimsical, you may even contemplate together with this houseplant in a succulent fairy backyard!

Additionally, this Haworthiopsis species makes substitute for aloe if you’d like a unhazardous houseplant choice that’s protected for households with pets or younger youngsters.

And in case you’re all for long-lived houseplants like Christmas cactus, hoyas, and weeping figs, add zebra haworthia to your checklist – this succulent can dwell for a number of many years in cultivation!