Haworthia pumila

How to Take Care of Your Haworthia pumila (Infographic)

Haworthia pumila or Pearl Plant is an attractive looking succulent with dark green triangular shaped leaves and white pearl markings. Haworthia pumila will look great on any windowsill.

It is a slow growing succulent that is hardy and easy to take care of. If you are looking for a small, low maintenance houseplant that does not need to be watered everyday, Haworthia pumila 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 pumila.

Haworthia pumila Infographic

Haworthia pumila Infographic
Haworthia pumila Infographic

Haworthia pumila Characteristics

NameHaworthia pumila
Other NamesPearl Plant
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 or Winter
Facts about Haworthia pumila

What are Other Names of Haworthia pumila Plant?

Haworthia pumila is also called Pearl Plant.

Does Haworthia pumila Prefer Sun or Shade?

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

How Do You Know if Your Haworthia pumila 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 pumila plant is not getting enough sun.

How Often Should You Water Your Haworthia pumila?

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

How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia pumila?

Haworthia pumila 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 pumila?

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

Haworthia pumila 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. 

Haworthia pumila
Haworthia pumila

How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your Haworthia pumila?

Haworthia pumila 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 pumila?

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

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

Haworthia pumila 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 pumila Plant Potting Mix

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

Haworthia pumila 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 pumila when it’s actively growing.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia pumila?

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

How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia pumila?

You will need to repot your Haworthia pumila 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 pumila Grow?

Haworthia pumila are succulents that can grow to 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide. 

How Do You Propagate Haworthia pumila?

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

Haworthia pumila offsets
Haworthia pumila offsets

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

What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia pumila?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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