Haworthia is a large genus of small succulent plants, mostly endemic to South Africa. Like Gasteria and Aloe, they are members of the family Asphodeloideae and they generally resemble miniature aloes, except in their flowers, which are characteristic in appearance. Horticulturally they are popular rockery garden and container plants. Typically they range from 4 cm to 20 cm high, depending on the species, though the inflorescences of some species may exceed 40 cm. Solitary or clump-forming most species have firm, tough leaves, usually dark green in colour, whereas others are softer and are window plants with translucent panels through which sunlight can reach internal photosynthetic tissues. Their flowers are small, white and very similar between species. But their leaves show wide variations even within one species. The charm of Haworthias is in their small size, ease of growth, and the almost infinite variation of their delightful leaves. Haworthias rarely require a pot larger than 10cm in diameter making them ideally suited for a bright windowsill. Perhaps the biggest problem you will encounter when growing Haworthias is that they tend to be addictive!

Haworthia fasciata is a South African indigenous succulent. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape Province where it can be found from Gamtoos River Valley to Port Elizabeth. It forms an upright, slender rosette up to 15 cm in diameter and 18cm tall, with tapering inward curving dark green to olive colored leaves covered with silvery white raised “pearls” that connect to form bands that give the impression of zebra stripes. This is a beautiful Haworthia that makes an excellent house plant or windowsill plant. Haworthias are winter growers and are dormant in the hottest summer months.