How often should I water my Haworthia?

Water only when the soil is completely dry, usually every two to three weeks.

Why are the leaves turning brown?

This is often a sign of too much direct sunlight.

Plant guide

Haworthia.

Haworthia

Pronounced hah-WORTH-ee-uh

Also known as Haworthias

Haworthia cymbiformis — Photo by The Great Walter (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Haworthias are charming, small succulents that look like miniature aloes. They are perfect for windowsills since they stay compact and don't mind a bit of neglect. You will love their unique textures and patterns.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light is best.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 6 inches tall and wide
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to summer

Care

Plant these in a gritty mix that drains very quickly to keep the roots happy. Watch for mushy leaves which indicate overwatering, or shriveled leaves which mean they are thirsty. Give them plenty of light but avoid harsh afternoon sun that can burn their leaves.

Watering: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced succulent fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or shriveled leaves as needed.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 plus years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage hole
Plant stops growing
Soil dries out very quickly

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Pets: Haworthia is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is safe for children, though the small size makes it a potential choking hazard if small parts are broken off.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Rosette of fleshy leaves
Often features white tubercles
Leaves may have translucent windows
Small tubular white flowers

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.2m
Leaves: green, translucent, white, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot — Caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that hide in leaf crevices.

By symptom

Check your haworthia from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, offsets, leaf cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a cool, bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: They are excellent for containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is not too large for the root system.

Offset Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Separate the small offsets from the mother plant.
Allow the cut ends to callus for a day before potting.

Group succulents with similar water needs to prevent accidental overwatering of the drought tolerant varieties.

Grows well with

Gasteria — They share similar water and light requirements.
Jade Plant — They thrive in the same well draining soil conditions.

Similar species

Aloe — They are closely related and share a similar growth habit.
Gasteria — They have similar fleshy leaves and growth patterns.

Science

Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Haworthia
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: Some species are threatened in the wild due to habitat loss and over collection.

These plants grow in the shade of rocks or shrubs in their native habitat to avoid intense sun.

Uses: indoor decor, rock gardens, succulent collections

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water my Haworthia?: Water only when the soil is completely dry, usually every two to three weeks.
Why are the leaves turning brown?: This is often a sign of too much direct sunlight.

Where the name comes from

The genus is named after Adrian Hardy Haworth, a British botanist and entomologist.

Good to know

They are native to South Africa.
They are closely related to Aloe.
They prefer bright, indirect light rather than harsh sun.
They are very slow growing.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your haworthia growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.