Native to South Africa, these clump-forming succulents are similar to Aloes and belong to the same subfamily. Zebra Plants receive plenty of sun and periods without rainfall in their natural habitat. Their succulent nature enables them to store water in their thick leaves when rainfall is infrequent.
The main difference between the two species, Haworthiopsis fasciata (formerly Haworthia fasciata) and Haworthiopsis attenuata (formerly Haworthia attenuata), is that H. fasciata has smoother inner leaves, unlike H. attenuata, which displays tubercles (warty growths). In addition, H. fasciata is supposedly rarer than H. attenuata and seems to have fatter leaves.
They are primarily grown in gardens, but also in greenhouses, conservatories, and homes.
Flowering: If the Zebra Plant flowers appear (may not appear indoors), they are small, tubular, white, or pink, growing from a long inflorescence.
Foliage: The Zebra Plants form a rosette of leaves. The leaves are thick and patterned with white, zebra-like stripes or tubercles that resemble warts. Zebra Plants are clump-forming plants in the wild, so they can be grown in groups of several or as many as you like in one container.
Growing Conditions
Temperature: These succulents prefer temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18 °C and 26°C).
Light: Display Zebra Plants anywhere they can receive sunlight or bright light.
Water: During the growing season, water the Zebra Plants thoroughly, then wait until the soil is dry to the touch before watering again. Winter is a tricky time for these plants, although they are a tough species. Many growers will overwater, and then, alongside cold temperatures or drafts, the plant can become very sick or even die. The leaves are storage organs, so water the plants much less during the winter, allowing the topsoil to dry out.
Soil: Use a succulent potting mix that drains well and provides plenty of air for the small roots. Whether you make your own mix or buy another type, use part potting soil, part perlite, and part sand.
Air Humidity: Normal room humidity will suffice.
Fertilizer: You can feed Zebra Plants diluted liquid fertilizer once a month from spring to fall. Do not feed during winter.
Repotting
Once the Zebra Plant outgrows the pot, you can repot it in the spring. Only move to a slightly bigger pot.
Propagation
Zebra Plants produce offsets that can be removed from the mother plant and replanted. Water the soil once, then wait to see a small sign of new growth to prevent overwatering and killing them.
Source: houseplantsexpert.com
Links
- Back to genus Haworthiopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus