Scientific Name
Haworthiopsis tessellata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley
Common Names
Veined Haworthia, Window Haworthia, Tessellated Haworthia
Synonyms
Aloe tessellata, Catevala tessellata, Haworthia tessellata, Haworthia tessellata f. brevior, Haworthia tessellata f. longior, Haworthia tessellata f. major, Haworthia tessellata var. elongata, Haworthia tessellata var. inflexa, Haworthia tessellata var. luisieri, Haworthia tessellata var. obesa, Haworthia tessellata var. palhinhiae, Haworthia tessellata var. parva, Haworthia tessellata var. simplex, Haworthia tessellata var. stephaneana, Haworthia tessellata var. tuberculata, Haworthia tessellata var. velutina, Haworthia venosa subsp. tessellata, Haworthia venosa var. tessellata
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Description
Haworthiopsis tessellata, formerly known as Haworthia tessellata or Haworthia venosa subsp. tessellata, is a stemless, slow-growing succulent that forms rosettes of fleshy, firm in texture, green to brownish leaves. The rosettes grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. Leaves are broadly triangular, strongly recurved, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide at the base. The upper surface is marked with six pale green anastomosing vertical lines, forming a square patterned design and windowed. The lower surface is usually rounded, slightly scabrid with raised coriaceous tubercles, especially in the upper part, where they are arranged in transverse rows. The margins have recurved white teeth. Flowers are small, tubular, white with green midribs, and on a simple, few-flowered, up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall raceme in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
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 too much water. 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 had 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.
Origin
Haworthia venosa subsp. tessellata is native to Namibia and South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Haworthiopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
