Haworthia Species Guide: Varieties, Identification, and Cultivation

The Haworthia Complex: Understanding Modern Classification

The genus Haworthia has undergone significant taxonomic revision in recent years. What was once considered a single genus of approximately 150 species is now recognized as three distinct genera:

Haworthia sensu stricto (Soft-Leaved Haworthias)

These species retain the original Haworthia name and are characterized by:

• Soft, fleshy leaves
• Translucent "windows" (fenestrations)
• Usually no prominent tubercles
• Examples: H. cooperi, H. truncata, H. retusa, H. cymbiformis

Haworthiopsis (Firm-Leaved Haworthias)

Reclassified species with:

• Firm, tough leaves
• Prominent white tubercles
• No translucent windows
• Examples: H. attenuata, H. fasciata, H. limifolia, H. coarctata

Tulista

Larger species with:

• Rough, textured leaves
• More Aloe-like appearance
• Less common in cultivation
• Examples: T. marginata, T. pumila

Popular Species and Identification

Haworthiopsis attenuata (Zebra Haworthia)

Identification Features:

• Dark green leaves with white tubercle bands
• Tubercles on both inner and outer leaf surfaces
• Leaves curve inward slightly
• Forms dense clumps readily

Varieties:

• 'Wide Band': Broader white stripes
• 'Big Band': Extra-wide tubercle bands
• 'Variegata': Yellow-green variegation

Culture Notes:

• Most tolerant of various conditions
• Excellent beginner plant
• Propagates readily from offsets

Haworthiopsis fasciata (Zebra Plant)

Identification Features:

• Similar to H. attenuata but tubercles only on outer leaf surface
• Inner leaf surface is smooth
• Leaves more upright
• Generally smaller than H. attenuata

Culture Notes:

• Slightly less common in cultivation
• Same care as H. attenuata
• Often confused with its similar relative

Haworthia cooperi

Identification Features:

• Soft, fleshy leaves
• Prominent translucent windows at leaf tips
• Leaves often blue-green
• Multiple varieties with different window sizes

Varieties:

• var. cooperi: Standard form
• var. truncata: Flattened leaf tips
• var. pilifera: Hair-like tips
• var. dielsiana: Larger rosettes

Culture Notes:

• Needs protection from direct sun (windows can burn)
• More water-sensitive than firm-leaved types
• Slower growing

Haworthia truncata

Identification Features:

• Leaves arranged in two rows (distichous)
• Flat-topped with large translucent windows
• Appears as if tops were cut off
• Slow growing but long-lived

Culture Notes:

• Collector favorite due to unique form
• Higher value than common species
• Requires consistent care

Haworthia retusa (Star Cactus)

Identification Features:

• Thick, triangular leaves
• Translucent tips
• Compact rosette form
• Forms attractive clusters

Culture Notes:

• Moderate growth rate
• Tolerant of various conditions
• Good for beginners interested in windowed types

Haworthia cymbiformis

Identification Features:

• Boat-shaped leaves (cymbiform means boat-shaped)
• Pale green to blue-green
• Large translucent windows
• Forms dense colonies

Culture Notes:

• Very easy to grow
• Offsets prolifically
• Tolerates shade well

Haworthiopsis limifolia (Fairy Washboard)

Identification Features:

• Distinctive ridged texture
• Horizontal ridges across leaves
• No white tubercles
• Dark green to brownish color

Varieties:

• 'Striata': More pronounced ridges
• 'Variegata': Yellow variegation
• 'Gigantea': Larger form

Culture Notes:

• Hardy and adaptable
• Interesting texture for collections
• Moderate growth rate

Cultivar Development and Hybrids

Japanese Cultivar Breeding

Japan has been the center of Haworthia cultivar development:

Popular Cultivar Types:

• Variegates: Yellow, white, or pink variegation
• Obtusa hybrids: Large, prominent windows
• Comptoniana hybrids: Complex window patterns
• Magnifica crosses: Intense coloration

Naming Conventions:

• Many cultivars have Japanese names
• 'Baccata', 'Kegani', 'Shiro-Keshoh' are examples
• Prices range from affordable to thousands of dollars

Creating Hybrids

Basic Hybridization:

1. Select compatible parent plants
2. Collect pollen from one parent
3. Apply to stigma of other parent
4. Harvest and plant resulting seeds
5. Select superior seedlings

Considerations:

• Most species hybridize readily
• Results are unpredictable
• Takes 3-5 years to evaluate seedlings

Species-Specific Cultivation

Soft-Leaved Species (Haworthia sensu stricto)

Light: Bright but filtered; windows can burn Water: Moderate; sensitive to overwatering Soil: Extra drainage materials; pumice preferred Temperature: Moderate; avoid extremes Dormancy: Usually summer; reduce water significantly

Firm-Leaved Species (Haworthiopsis)

Light: Tolerates more direct light Water: More drought-tolerant Soil: Standard succulent mix adequate Temperature: Hardy; tolerates wider range Dormancy: Less pronounced; maintain light watering

Advanced Propagation Techniques

Leaf Propagation

Not all species propagate easily from leaves, but some do:

Suitable Species:

• H. cooperi and varieties
• H. cymbiformis
• H. retusa

Process:

1. Remove healthy outer leaves cleanly
2. Allow to callus 3-5 days
3. Place on moist pumice or perlite
4. Roots develop in 2-4 weeks
5. Plantlets appear in 2-3 months

Seed Propagation

Seed Viability:

• Fresh seed germinates best
• Viability decreases rapidly after 6 months
• Store dry and cool if not planting immediately

Germination Process:

1. Use sterilized fine-grained mix
2. Surface sow (don't cover seeds)
3. Maintain moisture and humidity
4. Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
5. Germination in 1-4 weeks

Seedling Care:

• Keep in bright, indirect light
• Maintain even moisture for first year
• Transplant when large enough to handle
• Expect adult characteristics in 2-3 years

Tissue Culture

Commercial growers use tissue culture for:

• Mass propagation of rare cultivars
• Virus-free stock production
• Preserving genetic material

This technique is beyond most home growers but explains the availability of once-rare cultivars.

Building a Haworthia Collection

Starting Points

For Beginners:

1. Haworthiopsis attenuata or fasciata
2. Haworthia retusa
3. Haworthia cymbiformis
4. Haworthiopsis limifolia

For Intermediate Collectors:

1. Haworthia cooperi varieties
2. Haworthia truncata
3. Haworthia obtusa forms
4. Hybrid cultivars

Collection Display

Arrangement Ideas:

• Group by genus for educational display
• Arrange by leaf type (windowed vs. tubercled)
• Create color gradients
• Mix textures for visual interest

Container Choices:

• Individual pots for valuable specimens
• Community pots for common species
• Bonsai pots for show plants
• Decorative containers with drainage

Conclusion

The Haworthia complex offers incredible diversity for collectors, from the common zebra plant to rare, expensive cultivars. Understanding the distinctions between Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, and Tulista helps in providing appropriate care, while knowledge of species characteristics aids in proper identification and cultivation of these fascinating South African succulents.