How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has completely dried out, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light rather than harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Plant guide

Zebra Haworthia.

Haworthia fasciata

Pronounced hah-wor-thee-OP-sis fah-see-AH-tah

Also known as Haworthia fasciata, zebra haworthia

Fasciated Haworthia — Photo by Andrew Gillespie (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

The Zebra Haworthia is a charming, slow growing succulent that features striking white horizontal stripes on its dark green leaves. It is a perfect choice for small pots or sunny windowsills. This plant is quite resilient and prefers to be left alone rather than fussed over.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 15 cm tall by 15 cm wide
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Care

Plant your succulent in well draining soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent root rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as overwatering is the most common cause of decline. Watch for mushy leaves or a darkening base, which are clear signs of too much moisture.

Watering: Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering deeply.
Feeding: Feed sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer.
Pruning: Only remove dead or shriveled leaves at the base as needed.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container.
Soil: Cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 30°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 produced many offsets that crowd the pot
Soil no longer absorbs water well

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic to humans, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the sharp leaf tips can cause minor scratches.
Contact allergens: The stiff, pointed leaf tips can cause minor mechanical skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed.

How to identify it

Dark green fleshy triangular leaves
Prominent white horizontal tubercles
Compact rosette growth habit
Fibrous roots
Small tubular flowers on long stalks

Height: 0.1 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.15m
Leaves: dark green, white, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
DehydrationUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, offsets
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 5°C (41°F). Keep it in a bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It is an excellent container plant that prefers a snug pot with drainage holes.

Offset Division

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot.
2. Carefully detach the small offsets from the base of the parent plant.
3. Let the offsets dry for a day to callous over.
4. Plant them in a small pot with well draining succulent soil.
5. Wait a week before watering to allow roots to establish.

Group succulents with similar water needs together to prevent overwatering the more drought tolerant ones.

Grows well with

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

Similar species

Zebra Haworthia · It looks very similar but has tubercles on both sides of the leaves.

Science

Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild collection should always be avoided.

It grows in rocky, well drained soils where it benefits from partial shade provided by larger shrubs.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: houseplant, succulent collection, rock garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has completely dried out, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light rather than harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Haworthiopsis honors the British botanist Adrian Hardy Haworth, while fasciata describes the banded pattern on the leaves.

Good to know

It is often confused with Aloe vera, but it stays much smaller.
The plant is native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
It is a slow growing plant that can live for many years in a pot.
The name fasciata refers to the banded appearance of the leaves.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.