Are you looking for a small plant to grow on a windowsill that does not require too much light or lots of care? A Haworthia might be what you need! Haworthia is a genus of many small succulents. They are great for their architectural interest, and their easy culture makes them popular houseplants.
Haworthias are small and deservedly popular succulents from southern Africa. They are generally of easy culture, small and convenient, more tolerant of modest lighting than many succulents, and come in many beautiful variations on a common theme. Though the small whitish flowers are less than spectacular, they are rewarding and very willing to come forth under diverse conditions. The real glory is in the fleshy leaves, which, depending on species, can be variously colored in greens, reds, or browns to near-black. Some have leaves that are thin and bristly, others thick and fat. Some are plain, and others are marked with lines, bumps, stripes, or dots. All these factors point to why Haworthias are very popular houseplants capable of being grown successfully indoors in all areas of the world and outdoors where frosts are infrequent and short. Many Haworthias readily offset and are easily passed along to friends or handed down from generation to generation.
The first written references to Haworthias go back as far as the early 1600s, when European colonists discovered the botanical riches of southern Africa. Early explorers took Haworthias back to Europe, and they have probably been in cultivation there for nearly 400 years. They are readily available from home stores, garden centers, and even the floral section of grocery stores. In Japan, where horticultural uniqueness commands high prices, Haworthias with unique markings, forms, or colors can sell for hundreds of dollars. More common but equally appealing forms usually cost just a few dollars. Because they stay small, a nice representative assortment can fit comfortably onto a windowsill. They are easily grown as houseplants, and during the frost-free period, they can add to the decor of the patio table or the garden bench.
Haworthias are native primarily to South Africa, with a few species spilling over the borders of neighboring countries. They are closely related to Aloes and are in the Asphodelaceae family. Two other related smaller genera are Gasteria, with about 15 species with red to orange flowers, and Astroloba, with about ten species with an elongated columnar form.
Besides their ease of cultivation, two other factors have made them a favorite group of succulent growers and those just generally interested in gardening and houseplants. The first of these factors is their great diversity in form, shape, and color. While almost all are of a general rosette pattern (the fan-shaped Haworthia truncata being the exception), there is endless variation in the details. Although there are disputes amongst the experts about what defines a species in Haworthia, it is generally recognized that there are at least about 60 named species and 150 named varieties. Additionally, there are differences in nature from one population to another. Even two plants growing side-by-side in the same population can have quite different colorations or markings. Nursery workers have selected particularly attractive forms. Also, some enthusiasts are developing interesting and unusual hybrids.
The other factor that results in their popularity is their small size. Individual single plants are usually in the range of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) in diameter, and clusters of several dozen stems can fit nicely in a 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12.5 cm) pot. This allows for a diverse collection in a small space, such as on a windowsill or under a set of fluorescent lights.
Source: wisc.edu
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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