How often should I water it?

Water it only when the soil has dried out completely, usually every two to three weeks.

Does it need direct sunlight?

It prefers bright, indirect light and can get sunburned in harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Plant guide

Zebra plant.

Haworthiopsis attenuata

Pronounced hah-worth-ee-OP-sis ah-ten-yoo-AY-tuh

Zebra Haworthia — Photo by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming succulent is a favorite for its striking white bands on dark green leaves. It is a slow grower that stays compact, making it perfect for windowsills. You will love how easy it is to keep happy.

Another photo of Zebra plant — Photo by jeanne de klerk (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

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

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for mushy leaves, which indicate too much water. Give it plenty of bright light to keep the leaf markings vibrant.

Watering: Water only when the soil is dry all the way through.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or shriveled leaves at the base as needed.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Well-draining cactus or 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 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
The plant has stopped growing
The soil has become compacted and drains poorly

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans, though ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The sharp tips of the leaves can poke small children, so keep it out of reach.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Dark green pointed leaves
Horizontal white bumpy bands
Rosette growth habit
Thick fleshy leaf texture

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.15m
Leaves: dark green, white, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.
Mealybugs · These small white insects hide in the crevices of the leaves and suck the plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, leaf cuttings, offsets
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a cool, bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months. Ensure it stays above freezing at all times.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, especially shallow pots with good drainage holes, as it has a small root system.

Offset Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Identify the small offsets growing at the base.
Carefully twist or cut the offset away from the mother plant.
Let the cut end callous for a few days.
Plant the offset in fresh, well draining soil.

Group succulents with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.

Grows well with

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

Similar species

Pearl Plant · It has similar growth habits but features white spots instead of bands.

Science

Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently threatened, but wild collection should always be avoided.

It grows in rocky, well drained soil in the shade of larger shrubs or rock outcrops to avoid intense heat.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental houseplant, rock garden specimen, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
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 it?: Water it only when the soil has dried out completely, usually every two to three weeks.
Does it need direct sunlight?: It prefers bright, indirect light and can get sunburned in harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Where the name comes from

The name attenuata refers to the tapering, pointed shape of the leaves. It was formerly classified as a Haworthia before being moved to the genus Haworthiopsis.

Good to know

It is incredibly slow growing and can live for many years.
The leaves are thick and fleshy to store water for dry periods.
It is a very popular plant for beginners because it is so forgiving.
It produces small offsets, often called pups, that you can easily separate to grow new plants.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your zebra plant 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.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.