Haworthia fasciata zebra plants are attractive succulents with variegated, gray-green leaves with unique white stripes. Native to South Africa, this succulent is relatively small and shares many characteristics with members of the aloe family. Haworthia fasciata is mostly mistaken for Haworthia attenuata even though the former has smoother inner leaves, unlike the latter, which displays tubercles on its leaf surface. The Zebra plant is a relatively slow-growing succulent with a lifespan of up to 50 years. It can take up to 12 years for it to mature.
So, what are some of the secrets of growing Haworthia fasciata (Zebra plant) at home? This succulent thrives in bright light and a well-draining potting mix. Haworthia fasciata must be watered deeply about once every two weeks in the summer but only once every three weeks in winter. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry completely before watering because overwatering can lead to root rot. Repotting should happen every 2-3 years. Also, consider fertilizing the plant monthly with a succulent-specific fertilizer during the active growing season to enhance its growth.
Zebra Plant: A Quick Overview
The Zebra plant belongs to the Haworthiopsis genus, which has 18 succulent species. The plant shares the genus with other beautiful succulents such as Haworthia attenuata, Haworthia viscosa, Haworthia glauca, Haworthia bruynsii, and Haworthia nigra.
The succulent gets its name from its beautiful zebra-like stripes on its leaves. They form a pattern that is not seen in any other succulent and gives the plant an attractive appearance. The plants also have pointed tips, making them look even more interesting.
The Zebra plant is an evergreen perennial succulent native to South Africa. It usually forms rosettes of thick, narrow, and rectangular leaves. The rosettes can reach up to six inches in diameter.
The succulent flowers during summer produce tiny, tubular, white blooms at the end of their long and slender stem. The flowers exhibit shades of green, red, brown, or white.
Haworthia fasciata can be propagated using offsets or leaf cuttings, making it a great choice for anyone looking to grow a unique and beautiful succulent.
A mature Haworthia fasciata plant produces many offsets that can grow with the mother plant. The offsets can also be plucked from the mother plant and propagated easily into new plants.
Discover the Secrets of Growing Haworthia fasciata
Now that you know more about the Zebra plant, it’s time to discover the secrets of growing this succulent indoors and outdoors.
Watering Guide
The Zebra plant is a perennial succulent adapted to growing in areas with little to no rainfall.
Their natural habitat has forced these plants to find ways of withstanding long periods of drought and be resilient to neglect. It means that the plant can survive with minimal watering.
The zebra plant only requires a relatively small amount of water to thrive. Some gardeners believe the plant only requires about half a cup of water weekly. However, you should always check the soil before watering the plant.
If it feels dry to the touch, then you can go ahead and water it. Ensure you do not overwater your Zebra plant since it can cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
A simple way to check for soil dryness is to use a wood skewer or bamboo stick to measure water uptake.
Carefully insert the wood skewer or bamboo stick into the potting mix or the base of the plant and wait for a few minutes.
Pull it out and feel it. If the stick feels completely dry with no soil particles attached to it, then it is okay to water your zebra plant. Otherwise, give it a few more days and test it before watering.
Generally, you should water your Zebra plant every three weeks during summer but change the schedule to once every month during winter. Go easy on watering when the plant is dormant.
The best type of water for the Zebra plant is rainwater, free of impurities and chemicals. Feel free to use distilled water in place of rainwater.
However, you should avoid tap water since it contains minerals and chemicals unsuitable for the plant.
Light Requirements
Haworthia fasciata is an outdoor succulent and requires a lot of light to thrive. It can handle full sun during summer, but you should provide some shade during the hottest hours of the day. Ideally, you should provide it with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
The succulent can also be grown indoors near a bright window or under artificial lighting such as LED grow lights. Consider positioning your Zebra plant on a south or east-facing windowsill for best results.
Be extra careful when using artificial grow lights. Ensure your zebra plant’s light level is neither too low nor too high. You can use a sunlight meter to measure the light the plant receives and adjust accordingly.
Soil Requirements
Like other succulents, the Zebra plant thrives in well-draining soil. The potting mix should have good sand and perlite to ensure proper drainage. This type of soil helps reduce the risk of overwatering and root rot.
Although many people prefer to purchase succulent potting mixes from their local stores, you can also make one at home. All it takes is some garden soil, perlite, and sand mixed in equal parts.
However, you must be careful when mixing because regular soil can get too dense and cause root rot.
Choose the Right Container
Choosing the right container for your Zebra plant is closely related to the soil aspect. This succulent prefers a pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom to allow the excess water to run away and prevent root rot.
Select a pot size that allows enough room for the roots of your zebra plant to grow without being cramped.
A terracotta pot is ideal for this succulent because it helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the soil dry.
Avoid using any container made of plastic since it can trap too much moisture and lead to root rot. We must emphasize the point of drainage holes because it is crucial if you want to prevent potential root rot.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements
Haworthia Fasciata does well in mild to warm temperatures ranging from 50-90°F (10-32°C). The succulent will not tolerate cold temperatures below 40°F (4°C) and should be kept away from chilly drafts.
Humidity levels should be relatively low for the plant to thrive, with the ideal humidity level ranging between 30-50%.
You can keep track of the humidity levels using a hygrometer. If the humidity outside is too high, you can use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to restore balance.
Fertilizer Guide
The Zebra plant can be fertilized with succulent-specific fertilizer to enhance its growth during the active growing season.
Fertilizing once a month should be enough, but you can also make more frequent applications depending on the growth rate of your plant.
If you are unsure which fertilizer to use, you should use a liquid or water-soluble type with low nitrogen content.
Never overfertilize because too much fertilizer can damage the roots and create problems for the plant.
Pruning Guide
This succulent does not need much pruning, but you can still remove damaged or dead leaves. Use clean, sharp scissors for the job, and avoid using dirty tools that can spread diseases in your garden.
It is also important to watch for pests such as mealybugs and scale. You can use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or alcohol swabs to remove them.
If the infestation is too severe, you may need to discard the plant and start anew with a healthy one.
Repot At the Right Time
Even though Haworthia fasciata is a relatively slow-growing succulent, you still need to repot it once every one or two years. Ensure you use a pot with proper drainage and allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions.
Propagation
The Zebra plant can be easily propagated using offsets or “pups” that grow from the mother plant.
To propagate, carefully pluck the pups from the mother plant and place them in a potting mix of equal parts perlite and peat moss.
Water the offsets lightly and keep them in a bright location with plenty of sunlight. The offsets should start sprouting within a few weeks, but check on them regularly for any signs of distress.
Once the pups are established, you can transfer them to their pots and start caring for them as usual.
Summary
The Haworthia fasciata (Zebra plant) is a slow-growing succulent that can give your home a unique look with its striped leaves.
It is fairly easy to care for and can thrive indoors without difficulty if you remember the basics of watering, fertilizing, pruning, repotting, and propagating.
With proper care and attention, your Zebra plant will bring lots of life to any room in your home.
Last update on 2023-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
