Assorted haworthias — zebra-striped Haworthiopsis and the translucent “window” types. Small shade succulents that stay small, for windowsills, desks and dish gardens.
Haworthias are the succulents for people whose windowsill isn’t sunny. They grow in the shade of rocks and shrubs in South Africa, so bright indirect light suits them, direct desert sun does not, and they are content on a desk for years. The zebra types have dark, pointed leaves banded with raised white stripes; the window types have plump, translucent leaf tips that let light into the leaf.
Water when dry, keep them out of the sun, and they are as close to indestructible as a houseplant gets. The rest of the bench is on our Succulents page.
This is the haworthia we commonly carry. Availability changes week to week and season to season, so call (480) 987-3308 or stop in to see what’s on the bench today.
A mix of zebra haworthias (Haworthiopsis attenuata and fasciata) and window types (Haworthia cooperi, cymbiformis and relatives), sold individually. Rosettes two to four inches across; offsets freely.
Looking for one that isn’t listed? Ask — we can usually suggest a close match or tell you when it tends to come around.
The care tag was written somewhere else. This is the Queen Creek version.
An east window, a bright desk a few feet from any window, or a north window all work. Direct sun through Arizona glass turns the leaves red-brown, then shrivels them — that is scorch, not a nice color change. Outdoors they want full shade under a patio roof. In very dim light they stretch and lose their tight shape.
Haworthias slow down in the heat of June through August and want less water then, not more — the opposite of most plants. Leaves may flatten or dull slightly; that is normal. Resume regular watering in September.
Almost none: a succulent fertilizer at quarter strength once in spring and once in fall. Over-fed plants grow soft and lose their markings.
Water when the mix is fully dry: every two weeks in spring and fall, every three to four weeks in summer when they rest, and every three to four weeks in winter. Water the soil, not the rosette. Rot begins at the base in a pot without drainage or in soil that stays damp; use a gritty cactus mix.
Small, deep pots suit their thick roots; terracotta dries fastest. A gritty mix — cactus mix with extra pumice or perlite. Repot every two to three years or when offsets crowd the pot; pull the pups off and pot them separately.
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Mealybugs hide deep between the leaves and at the roots; check the crown, swab with rubbing alcohol, and repot into fresh mix if a plant declines without visible cause.
Stretching, mushy stems, a sunburned side — snap a photo of the plant and where it lives and we’ll sort it out at the bench. Advice is free.
Succulents live or die on drainage. We stock cactus and succulent mix, pumice and grit to open it up further, slow-release low-nitrogen fertilizer, and the shallow terracotta and glazed pots that dry out the way they like. The pottery yard has bowls, strawberry jars and hanging baskets for the trailing types.
Too much sun. Move it to bright indirect light and the new growth will come in green. Shrivelled brown tips on an otherwise green plant mean it went too long without water.
When the soil is completely dry — every two weeks in spring and fall, every three to four weeks in summer and winter. Less is safer than more.
Yes — haworthias are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and are a good aloe look-alike for pet households.
Not enough light. Move it closer to a window, out of direct sun.
In full shade on a covered patio in spring and fall. It cannot take direct sun, summer heat or frost.
Pull the offsets from around the base when they are an inch or so across and pot them in gritty mix. They root within a few weeks.
Haworthia live on the succulent bench; any staff member can point you to them. Locally owned, and a short drive from San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa.