Scientific Name
Haworthia truncata var. maughanii (Poelln.) B.Fearn
Common Name(s)
Maughan's Haworthia
Synonym(s)
Haworthia maughanii
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthia
Etymology
The varietal epithet "maughanii (maw-GAHN-ee-eye)" honors Dr. Herbert Maughan Brown (1883-1940), a physician and plant collector in South Africa.
Origin
Haworthia truncata var. maughanii is restricted to a small area near Calitzdorp in the Western Cape province of South Africa, which is to the far west of the natural range of the Haworthia truncata var. truncata. It usually grows in the shade of bushes and sometimes in open areas.
Description
Haworthia truncata var. maughanii is a small succulent with thick, fleshy truncated leaves spirally arranged in a rosette or dome-shaped tuft, not in a distichous row as in Haworthia truncata var. truncata. It usually remains solitary or slowly proliferous and varies enormously in the number, shape, and size of the leaves. In its natural habitat, Haworthia truncata var. maughanii grows partly sunken into the ground. The leaves are gray-green, more or less upright, irregularly cylindrical, measuring up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter. The truncated area may be translucent, opaque, and variously veined as in the typical variety. Its margins may be scabrous and variously crispate or undulate.
The flowers are small, two-lipped, off-white, and appear on slender stalks in spring and summer.
How to Grow and Care for Haworthia truncata var. maughanii
Light: Place the potted plant in a bright area with some protection from the hottest rays of the day. White, yellow, or red-tinged leaves usually indicate that your H. truncata var. maughanii receives too much sunlight. Deep shade tends to weaken the plant over a prolonged period. If your plant has spent the winter indoors, gradually move it outdoors into the bright sun to prevent sunburn.
Soil: Like all Haworthias, this plant does not like its roots to remain wet for prolonged periods, so the soil should be well-drained. Use a commercial potting mix for succulents, or make your own.
Temperature: This succulent likes warmer temperatures in the summer but cool in the winter. However, it does not like being too cold. H. truncata var. maughanii can withstand temperatures as low as 30 °F (-1.1 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).
Watering: In spring and fall, when the growth is most active, water H. truncata var. maughanii thoroughly, then wait until the top of the soil dries out before watering again. Water your plant less during the winter when its growth slows down significantly. When this plant is mostly dormant during the hottest summer months, water it just enough to keep the leaves from shriveling.
Fertilizing: H. truncata var. maughanii does not require much fertilizer. However, for optimum growth, fertilization is a good idea. Feed only with a dilute fertilizer and only during the active growing season.
Repotting: This slow-growing succulent can stay in the same pot for years. To keep your plant healthy and happy, repot H. truncata var. maughanii into fresh soil every two to three years in spring or fall. Repotting time is also the time to take offsets for propagation.
Propagation: The quickest and most common method of propagating H. angustifolia var. altissima is by offsets. It can also be propagated by leaves and seeds. Remove the offsets when they have started developing their own roots. Sow the seeds in spring or fall in a well-draining soil mix.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Haworthia.
Toxicity of Haworthia truncata var. maughanii
H. truncata var. maughanii is considered non-toxic to humans and animals.
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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