Haworthiopsis reinwardtii
| Light | Bright, indirect light; some direct sun tolerated, which brings out reddish tints |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderately in the growing season; let the mix dry between waterings, keep drier in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Offsets (primary); leaf cuttings and seed also possible |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Haworthiopsis reinwardtii is a small, clump-forming succulent from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, grown for its upright columns of tightly incurved, dark green leaves densely studded with raised white tubercles. The stacked, spiralling leaves and pearly warts give each stem the look of a beaded green tower, and healthy plants offset freely from the base to build up dense colonies over time. It belongs to the genus Haworthiopsis, formerly part of the broader Haworthia.
Description
Haworthiopsis reinwardtii forms erect to slightly leaning stems that lengthen with age, typically reaching around 15 cm tall, occasionally to 20 cm, before the weight of the column tips it over and it re-roots along its length. The triangular leaves are thick, stiff and strongly incurved toward the stem, arranged in a tight spiral so that the whole shoot resembles a slender, tapering cone. Their dark green surface — often flushing bronze or purplish in bright light — is scattered with rounded white tubercles, usually densest on the outer (lower) face of each leaf.
Mature clumps send up a slender, wiry flower spike bearing small, tubular, greenish-white to pinkish blooms typical of the genus. As with most haworthiopsis, the flowers are modest; the plant is grown for its architectural foliage rather than its bloom.
The species is variable, and several named forms differ in leaf shape, tubercle density and how strongly the leaves incurve.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, where it grows on dry rocky hills and cliffs, on exposed faces or in the shade of rocks, among herbs and taller shrubs. In habitat it often roots in the partial shade of nurse shrubs and rock crevices, its dark, warty leaves blending into the surrounding stone and leaf litter. Plants there endure bright, sometimes harsh light balanced by seasonal shade, and long dry spells punctuated by rain.
Cultivation
Haworthiopsis reinwardtii is an easy, forgiving succulent and an excellent beginner's plant. Grow it in a gritty, free-draining mix in a pot with good drainage. It prefers bright, indirect light; a few hours of gentler direct sun deepen the colour and keep the columns compact, while too little light causes the stems to stretch and the leaves to loosen and pale. Under strong light the foliage often takes on attractive red-brown or purple tones — a healthy stress response, not a problem.
Water moderately through the warm growing season, letting the mix dry out between drinks, and cut back sharply in winter when the plant rests. Like most succulents it is far more tolerant of underwatering than of soggy roots. Protect it from frost; it is not hardy. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
The simplest method is by offsets: established plants pup freely around the base, and these can be separated with a few roots and potted up on their own. Stems that have toppled and rooted along their length can likewise be divided. The species can also be raised from leaf cuttings, though these root far less reliably than the offsets — a healthy leaf removed cleanly and allowed to callus may sometimes root and form a new plantlet — and from seed, though offsets are quicker and keep the parent's characteristics true.
Common problems
- Etiolation — in too little light the columns stretch, the spacing between leaves opens up, and the plant loses its tidy stacked form.
- Rot — overwatering or a poorly draining mix causes soft, browning stems and root loss, especially in cool weather; keep the plant on the dry side in winter.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked between the leaves and at the base) and root mealybugs are the most common; watch also for the occasional scale.
- Shrivelling — mild puckering of the lower leaves is normal, but widespread shrivelling usually signals underwatering or a dried-out root ball.
See also
- Haworthiopsis — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases