Haworthia cooperi

How to Take Care of Your Haworthia cooperi (Infographic)

Haworthia cooperi is a popular species of Haworthia. It is one of the smaller Haworthias growing to 1.5 inches wide (4 cm). Haworthia cooperi is a hardy and easy to grow succulent.

Haworthia cooperi is a sun loving succulent and will be happy on a sunny windowsill. 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 cooperi 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 cooperi.

Haworthia cooperi Infographic

Haworthia cooperi Infographic
Haworthia cooperi Infographic

Haworthia cooperi Characteristics

NameHaworthia cooperi
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 Summer and Winter
Facts about Haworthia cooperi

Does Haworthia cooperi Prefer Sun or Shade?

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi 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 cooperi next to a west facing window with medium light. 

How Do You Know if Your Haworthia cooperi is Getting Enough Sun?

If you see the leaves of your Haworthia turning brown that means it is getting too much sunlight. While if you see the rosette slumping, that means your Haworthia plant is not getting enough sun.

How Often Should You Water Your Haworthia cooperi?

Haworthia cooperi prefers dry soil, overly wet soil will kill it. Since Haworthia cooperi is a succulent, only water when the soil feels dry. During winter, water your Haworthia cooperi sparingly. 

How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia cooperi?

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi?

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

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi?

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi?

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

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

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi Plant Potting Mix

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

Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi when it’s actively growing.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia cooperi?

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

How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia cooperi?

It’s time to repot Haworthia cooperi when you will need to repot your Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi Grow?

Haworthia cooperi are small succulents that can grow to 3 inches tall and 3 inches wide. 

How Do You Propagate Haworthia cooperi?

Haworthia cooperi is easy to propagate. Your Haworthia cooperi will grow pups. These are offshoots connected to the mother succulent plant. You will see that these pups have roots.

Haworthia pups
Haworthia pups

Simply cut off your Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi 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 cooperi plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.

What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia cooperi?

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

Why are There Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Haworthia cooperi? 

These fluffy white growth in between the leaves and stems of your Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi 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

mealybugs
Mealybugs

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

These brown or black patches on your Haworthia cooperi are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia cooperi. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so will not turn back green even when your Haworthia cooperi move to a less sunny spot.

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

If your Haworthia cooperi looks wilted even if the soil is wet, there is a chance your Haworthia cooperi 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 cooperi plant look mushy and are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot.

root rot
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 cooperi. When your Haworthia cooperi is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Prevention is key, don’t overwater your Haworthia cooperi in the first place and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.

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