Haworthia (Latin Haworthia) is an extravagant miniature succulent from the Asphodeloideae subfamily of the Xanthorrhoeaceae family that grows in the southern regions of Africa.
Tiny plants prefer dry, shady places, hide very skillfully under rocks or in the shade of larger plants, some are almost completely hidden in the soil, so that they are difficult to recognize.
In the wild, they can grow up to 1 meter in height, but most often their height reaches only 30 cm, and at home, as a rule, no higher than 10-20 cm.
Haworthia is prized for its original fleshy foliage, beautifully rosette. Pointed leaves of a dark green color, sometimes with white tubercles and jagged edges, are usually located at soil level, only some species have a low stem. It blooms in small, white flowers that appear on a long peduncle in mid-spring.
Other names: Haworthia, African violet, Twisty Aloe, Crocodile ponytails.
Haworthia - popular types:
Haworthia fasciata is a small perennial plant, the lower part of the leaf plate is decorated with white lumpy stripes, and the upper part of the leaf is green and smooth.
Haworthia attenuata - differs in lance-shaped leaves directed upwards, which are decorated with small convex dots of white or greenish color.
Haworthia tortuosa - has a low trunk, about 15 cm, on which miniature green leaves in small tubercles are attached.
Haworthia mosaic, or checkerboard (Haworthia tessellata) is a stemless plant with spirally arranged oblong leaves, pointed and bent outward. Light transverse streaks are visible along the entire length of the sheet, which look very elegant and unusual in the sun.
Haworthia pearl (Haworthia margaritifera) is a herb with succulent leaves, which are covered on both sides by round, white, pearlescent warts.
Possessing an unusual, shocking appearance, Haworthia is surprisingly not at all capricious. Even a novice florist will be able to cope with caring for her if he is familiar with the basic rules of maintenance.
The main thing is to find a cozy place to place a flowerpot with a flower, where it will be protected from direct sunlight, observe moderate watering, provide fresh air and, as necessary, transplant.
An unpretentious African woman will become a worthy decoration of an office space, study, living room, kitchen, library, fill the space with a creative atmosphere and exotic beauty. Haworthia looks great in compositions with other succulents. It can be grown in a florarium by building a miniature garden of different types of haworthia, decorating the surface of the soil with shells or decorative stones.
Lighting. It is best to place a guest from a hot desert on the windowsill of the western and eastern windows, where there will be enough light, but there will be protection from the scorching rays, but on the northern side of the apartment the flower may lose its decorative effect.
Temperature. The plant is accustomed to a significant difference in day and night air temperatures. Therefore, in the summer it is better to take the flowerpot out to the balcony or terrace, where there will be sufficient access to fresh air and protection from precipitation. The optimum temperature for this African violet is +18 +27 ° C in summer and +10 +14 ° C in winter.
Air humidity. Not demanding on humidity. There is no need to spray the flower or humidify the air around it. One of the important features of the plant is that a supply of water is stored in thick leaves, due to which it independently regulates the moisture balance.
Watering. Don't overdo it, Haworthia doesn't need frequent watering. In summer, water only after the topsoil dries up, and in winter after the soil has completely dried out.
Top dressing. Fertilize the cacti once a month. It is important to use half the dose indicated in the instructions and add to the water for irrigation. In the autumn-winter season, feeding stops.
Transfer. Usually the haworthia is transplanted every two to three years, when the plant has grown and you need to replace the cramped pot with a more spacious one. To avoid stagnant water near the root system, choose a flowerpot that is not too deep, but wide. It is best to opt for a small round plastic flowerpot, since in square containers the roots will have to bend as they grow and rot can occur.
The potting mix can be purchased without any problems at the flower shop; the soil for cacti is perfect. Be sure to install good drainage at the bottom of the pot; for this, use fine expanded clay.
Trimming and shaping. It does not need special formation, only with careless handling, the leaves of haworthia are easily damaged and dry out. In this case, you can cut off the top of an adult plant, which will provoke the growth of young rosettes and return its former attractiveness.
Bloom. Blooms in May-June. Blooming is not a fascinating sight. Nondescript white flowers appear on a long peduncle. It rarely blooms at home.
When you notice the formed root on the side outlet, you can separate it from the mother plant and plant it in moist soil. If there are no roots on the cuttings yet, then the cut leaves need to be dried for several days. Then plant it in wet sand, with the appearance of roots, transplant it into a previously prepared pot with soil. The container with cuttings should not be covered with glass or film - they will simply rot from the greenhouse effect. It is most convenient to propagate during the transplantation period, in the spring.
Diseases and pests. It can be damaged by scale insects, aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. If a parasite is found, immediately remove the affected areas of the leaves with a knife, and treat the cut with charcoal. Next, the flower should be transplanted into a new pot with prepared soil. Insecticidal preparations help to cope with pests.
If the leaves become lethargic, it means that the soil is too moist, stop watering until the former condition is restored. The leaves are too elongated - the plant needs transplanting and feeding. If brown spots appear, take care of shading.
With proper care, the miniature succulent is rarely attacked by pests and diseases.
Haworthia in winter. For the period of cold weather, feeding stops, the frequency of watering decreases and the temperature regime is maintained at least +10 ° C. It is known that Haworthia is able to withstand a temperature drop of up to +5 ° C, but it is better not to risk it and create comfortable wintering conditions for the African beauty.
Interesting Facts. An unusual dwarf succulent appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 18th century. The genus was named after the English scientist, botanist Adrian Haworth.