Haworthia reinwardtii is a small, perennial succulent, with stems growing up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall, with a basal rosette of white-spotted, fleshy leaves arranged in a spiral pattern and racemes of tubular, pinkish-white flowers in spring. The plant spreads to form a mat, by means of freely-produced offsets, also a convenient means of propagation. It is frequently confused with Haworthia coarctata. However H. reinwardtii has larger, flatter and whiter tubercles on its leaves (those of H. coarctata are smaller, smoother and rounder). H. reinwardtii also has thinner, narrower leaves. Not frost hardy in most of UK., but can live outside happily all summer and is very drought tolerant.
These succulents are not considered difficult plants to grow. If you can keep a pot of Aloe alive on a windowsill, chances are you can do the same with a dish of Haworthia. As with all succulents, the most dangerous situation is too much water. They should never be allowed to sit in water under any circumstances. At the same time, these decorative, little plants can be grown in interesting containers such as tea cups and even miniature baby shoes. If you’re given a Haworthia in such a container, make sure the container had adequate drainage.
Haworthias are small, usually remaining between 3 and 5 inches (7.5 cm and 12.5 cm) in height, and relatively slow-growing. They are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its dish, repot in the spring or early summer into a new wide and shallow dish with fresh peat-free compost mixed with sand, perlite or gravel for drainage. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation
Origin
Haworthia reinwardtii is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
Synonyms
Haworthia reinwardtii var. reinwardtii, Aloe reinwardtii, Catevala reinwardtii
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthia
