Haworthia attenuata is a beautiful looking succulent with dark green leaves and white stripes. It kind of resembles a miniature aloe vera plant with zebra stripes.
Haworthia attenuata is a popular succulent that is hardy and easy to grow and almost impossible to kill. It is a sun loving succulent and will be happy on any sunny windowsill.
If you are looking for a small, low maintenance houseplant that does not need to be watered everyday, Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata.
Haworthia attenuata Infographic
Haworthia attenuata Characteristics
| Name | Haworthia attenuata |
| 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 |
What are Other Names of Haworthia attenuata Plant?
Haworthia attenuata is also called Zebra Plant because it is commonly confused with Haworthia fasciata.
How to tell the Difference Between Haworthia fasciata and Haworthia attenuata?
Haworthia fasciata and Haworthia attenuata are easily confused because they both have the same white zebra-like markings on green leaves. You have to take a closer look to tell the difference between Haworthia fasciata and Haworthia attenuata. Haworthia fasciata’s white markings do not extend into the inner leaves while Haworthia attenuata’s white markings are on both inner and outer part of the leaves.
Does Haworthia attenuata Prefer Sun or Shade?
Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata is next to a south facing window. Position it so it’s not getting the full sun of a south facing window. Give it filtered or indirect sunlight. If you don’t have a south facing window, you can position your Haworthia attenuata next to a west facing window with medium light.
How Do You Know if Your Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata prefers dry soil. Overly wet soil will kill it. Since Haworthia attenuata is a succulent, only water when the soil feels dry. During winter, water your Haworthia attenuata sparingly.
How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Haworthia attenuata. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Haworthia attenuata.
Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata prefers low humidity so it’s not necessary to mist it.
What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Haworthia attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata Plant Potting Mix
You can make your own potting mix for your Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata will benefit from a once a month application of fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at half strength during Spring and Fall months. Don’t feed in Winter months when it’s dormant and not growing. Only fertilize your Haworthia attenuata when it’s actively growing.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia attenuata?
Use organic fertilizers with a balanced Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium content.
How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia attenuata?
You will need to repot your Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata Grow?
Haworthia attenuata are small succulents that can grow to 6 inches tall and 5 inches wide.
How Do You Propagate Haworthia attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata is easy to propagate. Your Haworthia attenuata will grow pups or offsets. These are offshoots connected to the mother succulent plant. You will see that these offsets have roots.
Simply cut off your Haworthia attenuata offsets 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 offset cutting out overnight before planting it in a pot. This will allow the raw end that was cut to dry up. Plant your Haworthia attenuata offset in a pot with succulent potting mix. Water after planting. Water every 2-3 days until the roots are established. Place your new Haworthia attenuata plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia attenuata?
Haworthia attenuata are hardy succulents and are rarely afflicted with diseases. The most common problems that affect Haworthia attenuata are root rot, mealybugs and sunburn.
Why are There Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Haworthia attenuata?
These fluffy white growth in between the leaves and stems of your Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata 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 attenuata?
These brown or black patches on your Haworthia attenuata are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia attenuata. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so will not turn back green even when your Haworthia attenuata is move to a less sunny spot.
Why Does Your Haworthia attenuata Look Wilted Even if the Soil is Wet?
If your Haworthia attenuata looks wilted even if the soil is wet, there is a chance your Haworthia attenuata 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 attenuata 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 attenuata. When your Haworthia attenuata is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Prevention is key, don’t overwater your Haworthia attenuata in the first place and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
You May Also Be Interested In:
How to Take Care of Haworthia (infograph)