Scientific Name
Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani (C.L.Scott) G.D.Rowley
Synonym(s)
Haworthia lavrani, Haworthia scabra var. lavrani, Haworthia sordida var. lavrani
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Etymology
The varietal epithet "lavrani (lav-RAH-nee)" honors John Jacob Lavranos (1926-2018), a Greek-borne South African insurance broker and botanist with a special interest in succulents.
Origin
Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani is native to South Africa. It occurs near the farm Tretyreand in the Steytlerville area in Eastern Cape, and it seems to prefer steeper slopes where it hides amongst the bushes or stones.
Description
Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani, formerly known as Haworthia sordida var. lavrani, is a small, slow-growing succulent that forms a stemless, usually solitary rosette of dark green, finely tubercled leaves. This variety is smaller than Haworthiopsis sordida var. sordida and has much shorter and recurved leaves.
The white flowers appear on slender stalks from late winter to early summer.
Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani is often incorrectly labeled as Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavranii or Haworthia sordida var. lavranii.
How to Grow and Care for Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani
Light: H. sordida var. lavrani thrives in semi-shaded positions. Brighter light conditions are needed to bring out the leaf coloration. Any window in your home or office will likely be appropriate for this succulent.
Soil: Use a commercial potting soil mix formulated for succulents or make your own.
Temperature: This plant likes warmer temperatures in summer but cooler in winter. H. sordida var. lavrani 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. sordida var. lavrani 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. sordida var. lavrani is a slow-growing plant that 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. Avoid summer fertilizing as this succulent is in a 6- to 8-week rest period.
Repotting: When the plant has outgrown its container, repot it in the spring or early summer into a new, slightly larger pot with fresh soil.
Propagation: Since it rarely produces offsets, H. sordida var. lavrani is usually propagated by seed. Sow the seeds in spring.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Haworthiopsis.
Toxicity of Haworthiopsis sordida var. lavrani
H. sordida var. lavrani is considered non-toxic to humans and animals.
Links
- Back to genus Haworthiopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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