The Haworthia is an ornamental plant that belongs to the Asphodilla family. The plant is native to southern Africa. There are a number of species of Haworthia that differ in size, color and shape.
How many Haworthia species are there and which ones are known?
Over 160 Haworthia species are known, varying in size, color and shape. All form rosettes and bloom either white or reddish. Some well-known varieties are Haworthia attenuata, cuspidata, fasciata, margaritifera, reinwardtii and venosa subsp. tessellata.
How many species of Haworthia are there?
Over 160 species of Haworthia have been known to date. The different varieties sometimes differ greatly from one another. What they all have in common is that they form rosettes, in some species only one, in others several.
The plant is very undemanding and usually grows in the shade of other plants in its native rocky regions.
The care of the succulent is not complicated, so most species are easily suitable as houseplants. They are also easy to propagate.
Flowers of Haworthia species
The Haworthia is primarily grown as a houseplant because of its often strongly patterned leaves. All species produce flowers that are either white or reddish in color. In some varieties the flowers appear raceme-shaped. Depending on the species, the flowers are up to two cm long and up to six mm wide.
The Haworthia blooms in every season.
The leaves are usually pointed and appear leathery. Many species have white warts on their undersides. Others have multicolored leaves that are striped or patterned.
Known varieties of Haworthia
| Description | Rosettes | color | Size | Bloom | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haworthia attenuata | a large rosette | browngreen | – 10 cm high, up to 13 cm diameter | reddish | white warts on leaves |
| Haworthia cuspidata | multiple rosettes | greygreen | 6 – 8 cm rosettes | white | very dense leaves |
| Haworthia fasciata | multiple rosettes | medium green | up to 18 cm high, up to 15 cm diameter | white | very upright leaves |
| Haworthia margaritifera | multiple rosettes | dark green | up to 10 cm high, up to 14 cm diameter | white | very short trunk |
| Haworthia reinwardtii | multiple rosettes | brownish-green | up to 15 cm high trunk | pale pink | small warts on the underside of leaves |
| Haworthia venosa subsp. tessellata | multiple rosettes | brownish-green | up to 5 cm high, up to 7 cm diameter | white | very short trunk |
Tip
Like all Haworthia species, Haworthia fasciata is classified as non-toxic. The juice that comes out when cutting is water that the succulent plant stores in its leaves.
