Scientific Name
Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White'
Synonym(s)
Haworthia limifolia 'Spider White'
Common Name(s)
Fairies Washboard, Fairy Washboard
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Etymology
The specific epithet "limifolia" (pronounced "lim-ih-FOH-lee-uh") means "file-like leaves" and refers to the transverse ridges on the leaves of the species.
The cultivar epithet 'Spider White' refers to the prominent white ridges and markings across the leaves, which create a spider-web-like pattern.
Origin of Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White'
Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White' is a cultivar of Haworthiopsis limifolia. Specific forms of this species, distinguished by their confluent, white tubercles or raised, white bands across the leaves, were collected from the Pongola region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 1983, John Pilbeam informally described one of these forms as Haworthia limifolia var. striata in his book "Haworthia and Astroloba: A Collector's Guide." This cultivar is likely one of these forms that have been introduced into cultivation.
Description of Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White'
Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White', formerly known as Haworthia limifolia 'Spider White', is a charming, very slow-growing succulent that forms a compact, usually solitary rosette of green leaves etched with white, undulate, transverse ridges on both surfaces. The rosette can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. This cultivar is similar to Haworthiopsis limifolia var. limifolia with all the deep grooves and ridges, but highlighted with a whitish coloring, hence the lovely common name "Fairies Washboard."
The flowers are tubular, two-lipped, white with greenish-brown veins, and appear in racemes on slender stalks in late summer and fall. The flowers can reach a length of about 0.6 inches (1.5 cm), while the flower stalks can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long.
How to Grow and Care for Haworthiopsis limifolia 'Spider White'
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 common issue 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, ensure 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. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow containers. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its container, repot it into a new, wide, shallow dish with fresh potting soil in the spring or early summer. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation.
Learn more in "How to Grow and Care for Haworthiopsis."
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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