New Haworthia for 2012

Many people see them and don't realize that they're not an Aloe or some other kind of desert plant. For all their close kinship to some other succulents, they are actually unique in several ways.

First of all, the one trait that gets new Haworthia growers in trouble is that these plants don't require, or even like, bright light.

The one way you can see the effects of excess brightness is a change in the colour to a strange orange underneath the green.

Haworthia attenuata and H. fasciata, or Zebra plants, show this often. The only treatment is to move them to a place that is a little less intensely lit. Curtain filtered sunlight, or under grow lights suits them just fine.

They also require more moisture than the other plants they resemble. They are extremely drought tolerant, and can go a long while without much water, but do prefer more regular watering.

Grow them in a group with other Haworthia and they are happier than attempting to fit them in with plants that like a drier situation, or a dormant period. Haworthia on the whole prefer some water at all times of the year, even during the winter when other plants seem to appreciate a period of dormancy.

There are no new Haworthia planned for the near future, but these little plants can be a surprise substitution for Aloe or other tender succulents, so be prepared!

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