Haworthiopsis
Haworthiopsis is a genus of small, slow-growing rosette succulents in the family Asphodelaceae, split out from the closely related genus Haworthia in 2013. It gathers together the firmer-leaved species — those with dark, stiff, often three-angled leaves frequently ornamented with raised white tubercles or crosswise bands — as opposed to the softer, often window-leaved plants that remain in Haworthia proper. Long-time growers still often shelve and sell these plants under their old Haworthia names, and the two genera share nearly all of the same care.
Description
Haworthiopsis species are compact, mostly stemless (or shortly stemmed) succulents that form tight rosettes of thick, rigid leaves, typically only a few centimetres to around 15–20 cm across. The leaves are the family trademark: dark green to nearly blackish-green, firm and tough to the touch, and in many species distinctly keeled or three-sided toward the tip. Their surfaces are commonly studded with white tubercles that may be scattered as dots or fused into raised horizontal bands, giving rise to the familiar "zebra" and "pearl" patterns that make the group so collectable.
Unlike the soft, translucent "window" leaves of many true Haworthia, the leaves here are generally opaque and hard-surfaced. In cultivation many species stay solitary while young but eventually offset freely, building up dense clusters over time. The flowers are modest — small, tubular, greenish-white to brownish blooms carried on a slender wiry stalk well above the rosette — and are secondary to the foliage in ornamental appeal.
Distribution
The genus is centred on southern Africa, with the great majority of species native to South Africa (particularly the Eastern and Western Cape), extending into Namibia to the west and, to the east, into Eswatini and southern Mozambique. In habitat these plants grow in dry, rocky places — nestled among stones, in rock crevices, and in the shade of low shrubs and grasses that shield them from the fiercest sun.
Notable species
- Haworthiopsis attenuata — the common "zebra plant," with pointed dark leaves banded in white tubercles; one of the most widely grown houseplant succulents.
- Haworthiopsis fasciata — the true "zebra haworthia," similar to H. attenuata but with a smoother inner leaf face; often confused with it in the trade.
- Haworthiopsis limifolia — the "fairy washboard," its leaves ridged with concentric wavy bands.
- Haworthiopsis coarctata — a taller, column-forming species whose stacked rosettes elongate into stems with age.
- Haworthiopsis reinwardtii — similar in habit to H. coarctata, forming upright columns of overlapping tubercled leaves.
- Haworthiopsis viscosa — with leaves arranged in three neat vertical ranks, giving a distinctive triangular column.
- Haworthiopsis tessellata — low, spreading rosettes with a translucent, tile-like patterning on the upper leaf surface.
Cultivation
Haworthiopsis are among the most forgiving of succulents and are excellent for beginners and windowsill growers. They prefer bright, indirect light rather than harsh full sun — too much direct exposure bleaches the leaves to a reddish or bronzy colour, while too little stretches the rosette and dulls its markings. A gently lit windowsill or lightly shaded spot suits them well.
Grow them in a free-draining, largely mineral mix in a snug pot. Water thoroughly when the soil has dried out, then let it dry again before the next watering; err on the dry side, and reduce watering markedly through the cool, low-light months to avoid rot. See Watering and Repotting for general technique. They tolerate ordinary indoor warmth happily and should be kept above freezing.
Propagation
Most Haworthiopsis are easily increased from the offsets they produce around the base of the rosette: simply separate a rooted pup and pot it up (see Propagation - offsets). Clumps can also be divided at repotting time. Leaf cuttings are possible for many species but are slower and less reliable than division. Seed is used chiefly by specialists and for producing new hybrids, as species raised from seed can be slow to reach size. See Propagation - cuttings and Propagation - seed for more.
Hobby and cultivar notes
Because the plants formerly sat within Haworthia, hobbyists and nurseries frequently still label Haworthiopsis species under their old names — a plant sold as Haworthia fasciata or Haworthia attenuata is almost always a Haworthiopsis. Variegated forms, with cream, yellow or white striping, are especially prized and command higher prices; these variegates often grow more slowly and appreciate slightly brighter (but still not scorching) light to hold their colour. The firm-leaved species also cross readily with one another, and named selections are traded for particularly bold banding, tight symmetry, or heavy tuberculation.
See also
- Haworthia — the sister genus of soft-leaved, often window-leaved species
- Asphodelaceae — the plant family
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Propagation - offsets · Pests and diseases