Haworthia fasciata or Zebra Plant is a very popular Haworthia species. It is a beautiful succulent with attractive green leaves and striking white zebra stripes.
Haworthia fasciata is a hardy and easy to grow succulent. It is a low maintenance houseplant, perfectly happy on any sunny windowsill (keep the sunlight indirect).
If you are looking for a small houseplant that is beginner friendly and great for busy lifestyles then Haworthia fasciata is ideal for you. It is so easy to grow and such low maintenance houseplant, it doesn’t even have to be watered everyday. Here are tips and advice on how to take care of your Haworthia fasciata.
Haworthia fasciata Infographic
Haworthia fasciata Characteristics
| Name | Haworthia fasciata |
| Other Names | Zebra Plant or Zebra Cactus |
| 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 fasciata Plant?
Haworthia fasciata is also called Zebra Plant or Zebra Cactus. It is often confused with Haworthia attenuata.
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 fasciata Prefer Sun or Shade?
Haworthia fasciata 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 Zebra Plant 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 fasciata next to a west facing window with medium light.
How Do You Know if Your Zebra Plant is Getting Enough Sun?
If you see the leaves of your Zebra Plant turning brown that means it is getting too much sunlight. If you see the rosettes slumping, that means your Zebra plant is not getting enough sun.
How Often Should You Water Your Zebra Plant?
Zebra Plant prefers dry soil. Overly wet soil will kill it. Since Zebra plant is a succulent, only water when the soil feels dry. During winter, water your Haworthia fasciata sparingly.
How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata 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 Zebra Plant?
Zebra plants can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Haworthia fasciata. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Haworthia fasciata.
Zebra plants prefer 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 fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata 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 fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata prefers low humidity so it’s not necessary to mist it.
What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Zebra Plants?
Zebra plants need 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 fasciata Plant Potting Mix
You can make your own potting mix for your Haworthia fasciata 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 fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata 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 Zebra plant when it’s actively growing.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia fasciata?
Use organic fertilizers with a balanced Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium content.
How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia fasciata?
You will need to repot your Haworthia fasciata 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 fasciata Grow?
Haworthia fasciata are small succulents that can grow to 5 inches tall.
How Do You Propagate Haworthia fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata is easy to propagate. Your Zebra Plant will grow pups or offsets. These are offshoots connected to the mother Zebra plant. You will see that these offsets have roots.
Simply cut off your Haworthia fasciata offsets with a sharp, sterilized knife. Make sure you include a sufficient amount of roots with your offset cutting. Don’t remove pups from the mother plant if they are too small. Only cut off offsets 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 fasciata 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 fasciata plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia fasciata?
Haworthia fasciata are hardy succulents and are rarely afflicted with diseases. The most common problems that affect Haworthia fasciata are root rot, mealybugs and sunburn.
Why are There Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your Haworthia fasciata?
These fluffy white growth in between the leaves and stems of your Haworthia fasciata 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 fasciata 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 fasciata?
These brown or black patches on your Haworthia fasciata are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia fasciata. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so it will not turn back green even when your Haworthia fasciata is moved to a less sunny spot.
Why Does Your Haworthia fasciata Look Wilted Even if the Soil is Wet?
If your Haworthia fasciata looks wilted even if the soil is wet, there is a chance your Haworthia fasciata 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 fasciata 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 fasciata. When your Haworthia fasciata is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Prevention is key, don’t overwater your Haworthia fasciata in the first place and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
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How to Take Care of Haworthia (infograph)