Haworthia bolusii

How to Take Care of Your Haworthia bolusii (Infographic)

Haworthia bolusii is a unique looking species of Haworthia. The rosettes are stemless. In the summer, the old leaves wilt and form an outer layer of dry leaves. Then in the fall, new rosettes grow.

Haworthia bolusii is a sun loving succulent and will be happy on a sunny windowsill. It does not like excessive heat or excessive cold. If you are looking for a small, low maintenance houseplant that does not need to be watered everyday, Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii.

Haworthia bolusii Infographic

Haworthia bolusii Infographic
Haworthia bolusii Infographic

Haworthia bolusii Characteristics

NameHaworthia bolusii
LightBright Indirect Light
Daytime Temperature70 to 80 F (21-26C)
Night Time Temperature60 to 70 F (15-21C)
WaterLow Water
HumidityLow Humidity
PottingFast draining potting soil (cactus soil or succulent soil)
FertilizerOnce a month at half strength but not in the Fall or Winter
Facts about Haworthia bolusii

Does Haworthia bolusii Prefer Sun or Shade?

Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii 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 sunlight. If you don’t have a south facing window, you can position your Haworthia bolusii next to a west facing window with medium light. 

How Often Should You Water Your Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii prefers dry soil. Overly wet soil will kill it. Since Haworthia bolusii is a succulent, only water when the soil feels dry. During winter, water your Haworthia bolusii sparingly. Reduce water in the summer when your Haworthia bolusii forms a dry outer layer of leaves.

How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Haworthia bolusii. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Haworthia bolusii. Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii 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. 

Haworthia bolusii
Haworthia bolusii

Do You Need to Mist Your Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii prefers low humidity so it’s not necessary to mist it.

What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii Plant Potting Mix

You can make your own potting mix for your Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii will benefit from a once a month application of fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at half strength during Spring and Fall. Don’t feed in the Summer and Winter months when it’s dormant and not growing. Only fertilize your Haworthia bolusii when it’s actively growing.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia bolusii?

Use organic fertilizers with a balanced Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium content. 

How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia bolusii?

You will need to repot your Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii Grow?

Haworthia bolusii are small succulents that can grow to 4 inches wide (10 cm). 

How Do You Propagate Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii can be propagated from seed.

What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia bolusii?

Haworthia bolusii are hardy succulents and are rarely afflicted with diseases. The most common problems that affect Haworthia bolusii are root rot, mealybugs and sunburn.

Why Are There Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Haworthia bolusii? 

These fluffy white growth in between the leaves and stems of your Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii with water or soapy water. You can also spray it with rubbing alcohol, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. 

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

mealybugs
Mealybugs

Why are there Brown and Black Patches on the Leaves of Your Haworthia bolusii?

These brown or black patches on your Haworthia bolusii are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia bolusii. You have to acclimatize your Haworthia bolusii to the full sun location.

The way to do this is to first introduce Haworthia bolusii in the full sun location for 2 hours a day for 4 days then increase it to 4 hours a day for another 4 days, you gradually increase the number of hours until your Haworthia bolusii is acclimated to the full sun location without burning. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so will not turn back green even when your Haworthia bolusii is acclimated to the sunny spot.

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 Does Your Haworthia bolusii Look Wilted Even if the Soil is Wet?

If your Haworthia bolusii looks wilted even if the soil is wet, there is a chance your Haworthia bolusii 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 bolusii 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 bolusii. When your Haworthia bolusii is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Prevention is key, don’t overwater your Haworthia bolusii in the first place and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.

root rot
Root Rot

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