Haworthia reinwardtii [ha-WORTH-ee-a rine-WARD-tee-eye] is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and makes a wonderful houseplant or addition to a succulent garden.
The basal rosettes of the haworthia reinwardtii more commonly called the zebra wart make this plant a stand out in a succulent garden.
They grow in a spiral pattern and produce tubular flowers in the spring.
The foliage and fleshy leaves can also take on a variety of colors, ranging from deep red to bright green. When fully grown, it looks like it was transplanted from another world.
Here are a few basic steps for keeping this unique plant alive.
Haworthia Reinwardtii Care
Size & Growth
The zebra plant isn’t a large succulent like many in the Haworthia genus. The rosettes rarely reach more than eight inches (20cm). In some cases, it only reaches a few inches, allowing you to plant this succulent in small containers.
People have even grown these succulents in teacups.
Some claim the growth rate is fast while other say it’s a slow-growing plant. The fleshy leaves grow in a spiral pattern and feature small, white growths resembling warts.
While the plant doesn’t grow very tall, it starts to spread out to form a mat. The mat provides a spot for the numerous offsets the plant produces.
Haworthia Reinwardtii is often confused with Haworthia coarctata which has smaller bumps.
Flowering and Fragrance
The plant produces tubular flowers in the spring. They grow in a raceme, which is a cluster of flowers where the separate flowers grow on short stalks at equal distances on a long central stem.
The flowers are pinkish-white and don’t produce a scent.
Light & Temperature
These plants need a lot of light. They prefer full sun and bright light. If placed indoors, place them in a south-facing or western-facing window.
Ensure that the plant stays warm during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, the plant can tolerate colder temperatures, but not freezing temps.
Keep the zebra wart in a room that doesn’t drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering and Feeding
Most succulents don’t require a lot of water, and zebra warts are no exception. Water it about once per month, allowing the soil to dry completely before watering again.
Underwatering is less of a threat compared to overwatering. If the plant is overwatered, it may develop rot.
Feeding Haworthia reinwardtii isn’t necessary. However, if you decide to fertilize, only feed the plant occasionally, and use a weak solution by diluting the fertilizer with water.
Soil & Transplanting
The best potting mix offers fast drainage, which helps limit the risk of rot. For the zebra wart, use a combination of peat moss and rich soil with a little sand.
If the container doesn’t provide adequate drainage, adding a layer of gravel below the soil helps to prevent excess moisture.
These are slow-growing plants that shouldn’t need repotting unless you started with a very small container.
The only other time zebra warts may need transplanting is during the collection of offsets.
When transplanting, choose a slightly larger container compared to its current container. Use the same soil mixture and avoid over-watering the plant.
NOTE: It’s typically a good idea to avoid watering the succulent Haworthia reinwardtii for an entire day after transplanting, which gives the plant time to adjust to its new home.
Grooming & Maintenance
No grooming is needed, other than the removal of dead leaves or flower stems.
How to Propagate Haworthia Reinwardtii Zebra Wart
Propagating is done through the collection of the offsets. These offsets grow just below the surface around the mother plant.
The best time to propagate is when transplanting the plant. Remove the parent plant from the soil and cut the Haworthia reinwardtii offsets off using a sharp knife.
Allow the cutting offsets and the mother plant to dry and heal for a day.
Place the offsets in small containers with a mixture of cactus soil. Water infrequently and keep warm.
Haworthia Pests or Disease Problems
Pests and diseases are rarely problems for the zebra wart. However, there are several signs that the plant is getting too much water or sun.
If the leaves start to turn red, the plant is getting too much direct sunlight.
Place it in an area with less sunlight. Within a few weeks, the red leaves may start to revert to their original greenish color.
Black spots and wrinkling leaves both indicate that the plant is getting too much water. Reduce the frequency of watering. The black spots and wrinkles should start to go away.
If the problem persists, cut away the damaged leaves, or collect the offsets and grow new zebra warts.
Suggested Haworthia Reinwardtii Uses
A small, compact zebra plant can be grown in just about any room of the house.
When you first acquire a Haworthia reinwardtii plant, it may come in a small pot measuring no bigger than three inches. It may take an entire year or two before it outgrows the pot.
It looks great on its own near a window or in a succulent garden with other succulents of varying sizes, shapes, and colors.