Haworthia cymbiformis [ha-WORTH-ee-a, cymbiformis] is native to Southern Africa and belongs to the Asphodelaceae family.
There are approximately seventy South African Haworthia species.
The genus name honors English botanist Adrian H Haworth who lived from 1768 to 1833. The specific epithet, cymbiformis, means “boat-shaped.”
The cymbiformis Haworthia plant is known as Cathedral Window Haworthia, Windowed Boats, or Window Haworthia because of its translucent leaf tips.
Haworthia Cymbiformis Care
Size and Growth
The Haworthia cymbiformis grows to be about 3” inches tall.
The rate at which these plants grow is influenced strongly by environmental factors such as food and water availability and substrate quality.
The leaves of the plant are bulbous and fleshy, and dark spots and stripes run from the center of the plant to the tip of the leaves.
The succulent leaves of H. cymbiformis are pale green, and the tips are translucent to allow more light into the leaves.
Flowering and Fragrance
Blooms may be either pure white or very pale pink, flowering usually in late spring to early fall.
The tiny blossoms grow at the end of a tall stalk, about 8” inches high, during the growing season.
The small, white flowers are tubular shaped and appear from mid-spring to early summer.
Haworthia cymbiformis also produces stemless rosettes of fleshy pale green leaves with transparent tips and dark stripes.
Light and Temperature
In its natural setting, Cathedral Window Haworthia likes a half-and-half sun situation.
This is to say; Haworthia cymbiformis likes the sun in the morning and half shade in the afternoon. However, make sure not to expose it to direct sunlight.
As houseplants, these succulents enjoy bright indirect sunlight with some partial shade.
Being somewhat shaded for about half the day is preferred.
Haworthia is exceptionally drought tolerant but cannot tolerate very low winter temperatures and frost.
Cymbiformis Haworthia is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.
They will grow as houseplants in any climate, year-round.
Watering and Feeding
Cathedral Window Haworthia is a drought-tolerant evergreen succulent.
The plant prefers gritty, sandy soil kept dry to moderately moist.
It’s important to remember in nature, and these plants grow during the months of summer rainfall.
Watering them excessively outside of these months will kill them.
You’ll know when it’s time to water your plant because the leaves will wither slightly. Your goal is to water your plants the right amount to keep the green leaves fleshy.
Your watering schedule will vary depending on the time of year and the air’s humidity.
Feed your Haworthia cymbiformis with a half-strength, all-purpose fertilizer once at the start of the growing season.
For houseplants, you may wish to use an especially formulated succulent fertilizer. In this case, follow the packaging instructions.
Soil Requirements and Transplanting
The best potting soil for Window Haworthia and most succulents is a standard succulent potting mix containing pumice, sand, or some other lightweight material to provide good drainage.
Haworthia plants appreciate soil with a pH balance ranging from 6.1 to 7.6.
When grown as a potted plant, ensure the containers have adequate drainage holes.
You should also repot your plant into fresh soil every two to three years and when it’s finally outgrown its current container.
Grooming and Maintenance
Grooming for this plant is simple. Clip off any faded flowers or stems as they occur.
If your plant sends out pups, you’ll want to separate them and repot them on their own.
How To Propagate Haworthias
In its natural setting, Window Haworthia flowers go to seed, and the seeds are sown by the wind.
To propagate Haworthia in a garden or home setting, divide the rhizomes, remove pups, or grow them from leaf cuttings.
You may also pinch out your Haworthia plant’s healthy leaves from the parent plant for another propagation method.
If you have no access to a parent plant, order seed online to sow indoors during the winter months or directly into the soil after all danger of frost has passed.
Cathedral Window Haworthia Pest Or Diseases
Mealybug pests on succulents are one of the most common problems for Haworthia. To battle the problem, try wiping the leaves with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol.
If the plant has root mealybugs, the plant may need repotting.
Another common plant disease you must look out for is root rot, which can be caused when you waterlog your healthy plant. What you can do is remove and dispose of the entire infected plant, so that nearby plants will not be infected.
Is The Haworthia Toxic Or Poisonous?
This and all Haworthia species are safe for pets, kids, and adults.
Is The Haworthia Plant Invasive?
The Cathedral window plant is not endangered in its native setting, and it cannot be considered invasive in any other setting.
Suggested Haworthia Cymbiformis Uses
Window Haworthia is easy to care for and maintain and makes a nice addition to your rock garden, or it can easily be kept as a windowsill plant.
Haworthia is one of the most popular succulents and makes an attractive addition to potted collections of small succulents.
In its native South Africa, Haworthia naturally grows in very harsh and demanding circumstances.
It can often be found growing in cracks between rocks and can withstand very hot and scorching conditions; however, it’s important to note it naturally sprouts up in shady settings around rocks, not in full sun.
In its natural setting, the small Haworthia cymbiformis succulent often acts as a groundcover in very harsh and dry conditions.
In similar climates, the plant makes a good ground cover for areas with rocky, poor soil.