Scientific Name
Haworthia floribunda Poelln.
Synonym(s)
Haworthia chloracantha var. floribunda
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthia
Etymology
The specific epithet "floribunda" (pronounced "flor-ih-BUN-duh") means "abounding in flowers; profuse-flowering" and refers to the tendency ot this species to produce multiple inflorescences or to flower frequently, rather than to have a massive, showy display.
Origin
Haworthia floribunda is native to South Africa. It occurs from Heidelberg to the Gourits River in the Western Cape province.
Description
Haworthia floribunda is a small succulent that forms stemless rosettes of twisted, lance-shaped, dark green or brownish-green leaves. The rosettes are slowly proliferous from the base and can reach a diameter of 2.8 inches (7 cm). The leaves are erect at first, becoming ascending to spreading with age, and can measure up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long and 0.35 inches (0.9 cm) wide. They are rounded at the apex or pointed. The leaf margins are scabrid to dentate.
The greenish-white flowers appear on simple stalks, usually from late winter through spring. The flower stalks can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.
Varieties of Haworthia floribunda
- Haworthia floribunda var. dentata
- Haworthia floribunda var. floribunda
- Haworthia floribunda var. major
How to Grow and Care for Haworthia floribunda
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
These succulents are not considered difficult houseplants to grow. If you can keep a pot of Aloe alive on a windowsill, chances are you can do the same with a dish of Haworthia. As with all succulents, the most dangerous situation is overwatering. They should never be allowed to sit in water under any circumstances. At the same time, these little decorative plants can be grown in interesting containers such as teacups and even miniature baby shoes. If you're given a Haworthia in such a container, ensure the container has adequate drainage.
Haworthias are small, usually between 3 and 5 inches (7.5 cm and 12.5 cm) in height, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow containers. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its container, repot it into a new, wide, shallow container with fresh potting soil in the spring or early summer. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Haworthia.
Links
- Back to genus Haworthia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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