Haworthia limifolia is one of the most common species of Haworthia plants. It is a popular succulent known for being hardy and almost impossible to kill.
Haworthia limifolia is a sun loving succulent and will be happy on a sunny windowsill but it can also tolerate low light. Although it will grow best with sunlight. It is easy to care for.
If you are looking for a small, low maintenance houseplant that does not need to be watered everyday, Haworthia limifolia is ideal for you. In fact, it thrives in dry conditions and will only need occasional watering. Here are tips and advice on how to take care of your Haworthia limifolia.
Haworthia limifolia Infographic
Haworthia limifolia Characteristics
| Name | Haworthia limifolia |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Water | Low Water |
| Humidity | Low Humidity |
| Potting | Fast draining potting soil (cactus soil or succulent soil) |
| Fertilizer | Once a month at half strength but not in the Summer or Winter |
Does Haworthia limifolia Prefer Sun or Shade?
Haworthia limifolia is a sun loving indoor houseplant. In the wild, it grows on rocks and crevices away from direct sunlight. It likes sun but it’s best if it’s indirect sunlight.
The best placement for your Haworthia limifolia is next to a south facing window. Position it so it’s not getting the full sun of a south facing window rather somewhat filtered or indirect. If you don’t have a south facing window, you can position your Haworthia limifolia next to a west facing window with medium light. Haworthia limifolia can tolerate low levels of light but it will grow best and look its best in a sunny location with indirect sunlight.
How Do You Know if Your Haworthia limifolia is Getting Enough Sun?
If you see the leaves of your Haworthia turning brown that means it is getting too much sunlight. If you see the rosettes slumping, that means your Haworthia plant is not getting enough sun.
How Often Should You Water Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia prefers dry soil, overly wet soil will kill it. Since Haworthia limifolia is a succulent, only water when the soil feels dry. During winter, water your Haworthia limifolia sparingly.
How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia does not need a lot of water, it’s a drought resistant, succulent plant. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil 2 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, then water moderately. If the soil still feels moist and wet, don’t water it yet. Wait another week. When in doubt, it’s better to water less than to water too much.
What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Haworthia limifolia. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Haworthia limifolia.
Haworthia limifolia prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia needs proper drainage otherwise it might suffer from stem rot. To ensure proper drainage, make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. After watering your plant, don’t let it sit in the puddle of water that has accumulated in the saucer. Empty out the water from the saucer.
Do You Need to Mist Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia prefers low humidity so it’s not necessary to mist it.
What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia needs a fast draining potting mix. You can buy premixed potting soil with mycorrhizal fungi that are made specially for cactus and succulents. It’s best to buy organic soil mixtures because non-organic soil mixtures often contain a higher concentration of fertilizer which can burn the roots of your plant. Non-organic soil mixtures are not generally suitable for houseplants.
Haworthia limifolia Plant Potting Mix
You can make your own potting mix for your Haworthia limifolia by blending the following potting media:
- 1 Part Horticultural Sand
- 1 Part General Purpose Organic Potting Medium
- 1 Part Perlite
Do You Need to Fertilize Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia will benefit from a once a month application of fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at half strength during Spring and Fall months. Don’t feed in the Winter months when it’s dormant and not growing. Only fertilize your Haworthia limifolia when it’s actively growing.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia limifolia?
Use organic fertilizers with a balanced Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium content.
How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia limifolia?
You will need to repot your Haworthia limifolia every 1-2 years. Buy a larger pot, around 2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Make sure you buy a pot that has drainage holes at the bottom so water doesn’t accumulate and cause root rot and stem rot.
How Big Does Haworthia limifolia Grow?
Haworthia limifolia are small succulents that can grow to 3 inches tall and 3 inches wide.
How Do You Propagate Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia is easy to propagate. Your Haworthia limifolia will grow pups. These are offshoots connected to the mother succulent plant. You will see that these pups have roots.
Simply cut off your Haworthia limifolia pups with a sharp, sterilized knife. Make sure you include a sufficient amount of roots with your pup cutting. Don’t remove pups from the mother plant if they are too small. Only cut off pups that have grown large enough that you can hold it.
Leave the pup cutting out overnight before planting it in a pot. This will allow the raw end that was cut to dry up. Plant your Haworthia limifolia pup in a pot with succulent potting mix. Water after planting. Water every 2-3 days until the roots are established. Place your new Haworthia limifolia plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia limifolia?
Haworthia limifolia are hardy succulents and are rarely afflicted with diseases. The most common problems that affect Haworthia limifolia are root rot, mealybugs and sunburn.
Why are There Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Haworthia limifolia?
These fluffy white growth in between the leaves and stems of your Haworthia limifolia are probably a result of mealybugs. These pests are common in houseplants. They are caused by insects. Once you know there is a mealybug infestation, immediately wash off the mealybugs from your Haworthia limifolia with water or soapy water. You can spray it with rubbing alcohol. You can also spray it with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Why are there Brown and Black Patches on the Leaves of Your Haworthia limifolia?
These brown or black patches on your Haworthia limifolia are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia limifolia. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so will not turn back green even when your Haworthia limifolia is moved to a less sunny spot.
Why Does Your Haworthia limifolia Look Wilted Even if the Soil is Wet?
If your Haworthia limifolia looks wilted even if the soil is wet, there is a chance your Haworthia limifolia is suffering from root rot. The way to tell if its root rot is to pull the plant out and examine the roots. If the roots of your Haworthia limifolia plant look mushy and are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot.
The cause of root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage. Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Haworthia limifolia. When your Haworthia limifolia is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Prevention is key, don’t overwater your Haworthia limifolia in the first place and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
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