Zebra haworthia or Haworthia fasciata?
Most striped haworthias sold as zebra plants are Haworthiopsis attenuata. They’re often labeled Haworthia fasciata (now Haworthiopsis fasciata), a rarer and very similar species. Care is the same, so this only matters if you want the right name on the label.
To tell them apart, look at the upper face of a leaf, the side that faces the center of the rosette:
- Zebra haworthia (H. attenuata). Bands of raised white bumps on the outer face, plus more bumps scattered over the upper face. It feels bumpy all the way around.
- H. fasciata. Bold white bands on the outer face only. The upper face is smooth.
Light
Bright, indirect light suits it best and brings out the strongest markings. It copes with less light than most succulents, so an east or west window with a few hours of gentle sun works well. In too little light the stripes fade and the leaves stretch. In hot, direct sun they can scorch.
Water
Water when the soil has dried out, then soak it and let it drain. In a well-drained mix that might be about weekly in summer. In winter, keep it almost dry. Soggy soil, especially when it's cool and dim, rots the roots, the most common problem with haworthias.
Soil & pots
Use a fast-draining cactus mix, or ordinary potting soil mixed half and half with perlite, pumice or grit. Skip sand, which clogs the gaps. A shallow pot not much bigger than the roots is better than a deep one, which holds extra wet soil.
Temperature
Normal room temperatures suit it; NC State gives 60–80°F (16–27°C) as ideal. Keep it above 50°F (10°C) in winter and away from cold drafts. It isn't frost tolerant, so bring a plant that summers outdoors inside before nights turn cold.
Is zebra haworthia safe for pets?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists Haworthia species as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and its "zebra haworthia" entry (filed under the look-alike Haworthia fasciata) as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. NC State Extension lists Haworthiopsis attenuata itself as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Propagation
Zebra haworthia makes pups around its base, and they're the easy way to get more plants. Separate them in spring or summer. Leaf cuttings also work.
- Unpot the clump. Many pups already have their own roots and come away easily.
- Break or cut off any that stay attached to the parent.
- If you tore a root or cut the stem, leave the pup to air-dry for a few days.
- Pot it in dry, gritty mix and water sparingly until it's settled.
Common problems
FAQ
Is zebra haworthia toxic to cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists Haworthia species as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and NC State Extension lists Haworthiopsis attenuata as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Is zebra haworthia the same as a zebra plant?
It's one of them. "Zebra plant" is also the name of Aphelandra squarrosa, a leafy tropical houseplant with white-veined leaves and yellow flower spikes. That one isn't a succulent and wants constant moisture and humidity, the opposite of this plant.
Is it Haworthia attenuata or Haworthiopsis attenuata?
Same plant. Botanists moved the hard-leaved, warty haworthias into their own genus, Haworthiopsis ("like Haworthia"), in the 2010s, and Kew now accepts Haworthiopsis attenuata. The old name is still widely used, including by the ASPCA.
Why is my zebra plant turning red or brown?
Usually too much direct sun. Strong light can bring out other colors in the leaves, and direct sun can scorch them. Move it to bright, indirect light.
Does zebra haworthia flower?
Yes, though rarely indoors. In summer it sends up a thin, wiry stalk up to about 16 in (40 cm) long with small, tubular white flowers.
Sources
- Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Haworthiopsis fasciata (Willd.) G.D.Rowley: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Haworthiopsis attenuata: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Haworthiopsis fasciata: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Haworthiopsis attenuata (zebra plant): RHS
- Haworthiopsis fasciata (zebra haworthia): RHS
- Haworthiopsis attenuata: PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Haworthias – Super Succulents for Small Spaces: Wisconsin Horticulture, UW–Madison Extension
- Haworthia: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
- Zebra Haworthia: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
- Aphelandra squarrosa: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder