How to Take Care of Your Haworthia truncata (Infograph)

Haworthia truncata or Horse’s Teeth is a unique looking succulent with flat top leaves that looks like it’s been cut off. The leaves form a line rather than a rosette formation. Haworthia truncata is a popular species for collectors. 

Haworthia truncata is a sun loving succulent and will be happy on a sunny windowsill. Do avoid direct sunlight especially during the summer months since it is susceptible to sunburn. Here are tips and advice on how to take care of your Haworthia truncata.

Haworthia truncata Infographic

Haworthia truncata Infographic
Haworthia truncata Infographic

Haworthia truncata Characteristics

NameHaworthia truncata
Other NamesHorse’s Teeth
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 truncata

What are Other Names of Haworthia truncata?

Haworthia truncata is also called Horse’s Teeth.

Other Haworthia truncata varieties

Haworthia truncuta var maughani is another variety of Haworthia truncuta. The leaves grow in a spiral rosette formation and not in a row. Check out our page on Haworthia truncuta var maughani.

Does Haworthia truncata Prefer Sun or Shade?

Haworthia truncata 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 is to position your Haworthia truncata 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 truncata next to a west facing window with medium light. Be careful of direct sunlight since Haworthia truncata is prone to sunburn.

How Often Should You Water Your Haworthia truncata?

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

How Do You Know When to Water Your Haworthia truncata?

Haworthia truncata 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. In the summer, reduce watering since the basal leaves can rot.

What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your Haworthia truncata?

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

Haworthia truncata 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 truncata
Haworthia truncata

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

Haworthia truncata 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 truncata?

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

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

Haworthia truncata 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 truncata Plant Potting Mix

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

Haworthia truncata 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 truncata when it’s actively growing.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Haworthia truncata?

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

How Do You Know When To Repot Your Haworthia truncata?

You will need to repot your Haworthia truncata 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 truncata Grow?

Haworthia truncata are small succulents that can grow to 6 inches wide. 

How Do You Propagate Haworthia truncata?

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

Haworthia truncata pups
Haworthia truncata pups or off-sets

Simply cut off your Haworthia truncata off-sets 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 truncata 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 truncata plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.

What are Common Problems that Affect Your Haworthia truncata?

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

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

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

These brown or black patches on your Haworthia are sunburn spots. This is a result of too much direct, hot sun on your Haworthia. Unfortunately, these sunburn spots are permanent so it will not turn back green even when your Haworthia is in a less 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 truncata Look Wilted Even if the Soil is Wet?

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

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