Haworthia - Cut Window Plant, Fairy Washboard, Pearly Dots, Zebra Plant
(Haworth'ia)
DESCRIPTION: This large group of succulent plants is originally from South Africa; they are commonly found in rock crevices and under bushes, out of direct sunlight. These plants form rosettes of soft, fleshy, triangular leaves, though a few have long, grass-like leaves. The shapes and markings of the leaves vary, but raised, white spots are the most common variegation. Some leaves are very thick with windowed upper surfaces. Some plants have roots, which pull the plants into the soil, so that only the upper, windowed surface is visible. Some species have an orange or red tinge while they are dormant in the summer, then regain their normal green color when they begin to grow again. From spring to fall, long, thin stalks bearing clusters of small, white flowers are produced. The flowers are followed by green berries. Haworthia make great houseplants, since they can survive in low light. H. cooperi is an interesting plant that forms small rosettes only growing to 1¼ to 1½ inches wide. Its fat, shiny green leaves have an almost translucent appearance. This plant is fairly easy to grow as a houseplant. H. truncata (Cut Window Plant) produces flat-topped leaves that look as if they have been cut. They resemble little stepping stones as they are arranged in a line rather than a rosette. They are slow-growing and have opaque "windows" at the tips. The windows are translucent sacs which contain calcium oxalate to diffuse the hot sun before it reaches the plant body. H. coarctata var. adelaidensis is a pretty plant that forms clumps of tough, leafy columns. The "columns" are formed because the stems are tightly packed with the scale-like leaves, which curve in at the stem's tip. The normally dark green leaves turn purplish-red in full sun and are usually mottled with bands of white spots. This plant grows up to 6 inches high with a spread of 15 inches. H. pumila (Pearly Dots) grows up to 6 inches high with a spread of 12 inches. It forms rosettes of dark green leaves spotted with large, white dots.
POTTING: These plants need a minimum temperature of 40º F. The best soil mixture to use is two parts of loam and one part of broken bricks and sand. Repotting should be done in April, but isn't required every year because these plants grow slowly. The soil should be kept moist in the summer, but only enough water is given in the winter to keep the leaves from withering. These plants prefer diffused sun or shade.
PROPAGATION: Small rosettes can be removed and potted in the spring or summer. Seeds can be lightly covered with soil in a pot and covered with a pane of glass until they sprout. When two leaves have formed, they can be planted, one inch apart, in a flower pan of fine soil and later, in 2-inch pots.
VARIETIES: H. venosa; H. attenuata var. clariperla (Zebra Plant); H. cymbiformis; H. truncata (Cut Window Plant); H. coarctata var. adelaidensis; H. pumila; H. fasciata (Fairy Washboard); H. albicans; H. arachnoides; H. laetevirens; H. margaritifera; H. Reinwardtii; H. setata (Lace Haworthia); H. bolussi var. bolusii; H. tessellata; H. viscosa & var. caespitosa; H. cooperi; H. comptoniana; H. limifolia; H. cuspidata var. variegata; H. koelmanniorum; H. reinwardtii var. chalumnensis.
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