Scientific Name
Haworthia mirabilis (Haw.) Haw.
Synonym(s)
Aloe mirabilis, Apicra mirabilis, Catevala mirabilis, Haworthia retusa var. mirabilis
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthia
Etymology
The specific epithet "mirabilis" (pronounced "mih-RAB-ih-liss") means "wonderful," "remarkable," or "extraordinary" and refers to the striking overall appearance of this species.
Origin
Haworthia mirabilis is native to South Africa. It grows on the rocky foothills of the mountain ranges from Caledon to Bredasdorp in the Western Cape province.
Description
Haworthia mirabilias is a beautiful, slow-growing succulent that forms a stemless, slowly proliferous rosette of green to yellow-green, retused leaves with a lined, translucent face and small marginal teeth. The rosette slowly grows and can reach a diameter of 7 inches (2.8 cm). The leaves turn reddish or brownish in intense sunlight. They are erect when young, becoming ascending with age, measuring up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide.
The flowers are narrow, white with greenish-brown keels, and appear mainly from spring to early summer on slender stalks that can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) long.
Varieties of Haworthia mirabilis
- Haworthia mirabilis var. badia
- Haworthia mirabilis var. beukmannii
- Haworthia mirabilis var. consanguinea
- Haworthia mirabilis var. mirabilis
- Haworthia mirabilis var. mundula
- Haworthia mirabilis var. paradoxa
- Haworthia mirabilis var. sublineata
- Haworthia mirabilis var. triebneriana
How to Grow and Care for Haworthia mirabilis
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
These succulents are not considered difficult to grow as houseplants. 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, make sure 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. They are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its dish, repot in the spring or early summer into a new, wide and shallow dish with fresh potting soil. 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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