Product Details
Highlights
Haworthia retusa (Duval): Plump, green leaves have triangular, "windowed" tips that allow sunlight into the plant and help it tolerate low-light conditions. The leaves are "retuse" or curved back like a thumb. This small, low-lying plant can produce lots of offsets and develop into an extensive clump.
Haworthia are able to tolerate low, indoor light, making them excellent houseplants, even for beginners. They are particularly easy to grow and rarely affected by common succulent pests and diseases. Strong, drought-tolerant roots will grow if they have great drainage and infrequent water. Pick deep containers with drainage holes and a gritty, well-draining soil that is 50% to 70% mineral grit (coarse sand, pumice, or perlite). Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole and allow the soil to completely dry before watering again.
This genus tolerates high heat by slowing down and eventually going dormant in the peak of summer. This means that, unlike other succulents, it is important not to over-water or fertilize during summer dormancy and water a bit more frequently in the winter growing season. Haworthia are slow growers and tend to stay small in pots, but they will produce new offsets in clumps around their bases. These offsets can be left to develop into a dense clump or pulled off and transplanted.
Product Size
2.0" Pot
Current Primary Color
Green
Bloom Color
White Bloom
Grow Zone (Hardiness)
Zone 10 (30F)
Recommended Light Conditions
Filtered / Partial Sun, Low Indoor Light
Maximum Height
3"-5"
Maximum Rosette Size
5"-6"
Growth Habit / Shape
Loose Rosette
Seasonality
Summer Dormant Partial
Special Characteristic
Pet Safe, Slow Grower
THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+
WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?
Videos
Questions & Answers
Popular Questions
1) Root bound: it could be that it's time for a bigger pot! Root bound plants tend to not be able to absorb the water available to them. If you lift the plant out of its pot and you can do that easily, it's likely that the plant is root bound. This is especially true if most of the dirt comes with the plant when you lift it out of its pot.
2) Bad soil: If you use any peat moss in your soil mix, it could be that your soil has become hydrophobic. If that is true, your own soil could be shielding your plant's roots from the water. Fine sand can also form a cement mixture that doesn't percolate water well. If you dig the plant up and look at the roots, are they moist? If not, it could be that your soil is preventing the plant from accessing any water.
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Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.
IN POTS…
See full answer »Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.
Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.
Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.
Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength
Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.
HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS
- Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
- Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
- Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…
Different succulent varieties have different light needs. You can find the Recommended Light Conditions on each variety's page by scrolling down to the Product Details. We use four categories of recommended light, and some plants can thrive under a range of light conditions.
LOW INDOOR LIGHT
- Can grow indoors without direct sun.
- Placing outdoors in direct sun or on sunny window sills might cause dark burns.
- There are a limited number of succulent varieties that thrive in low light, notably Haworthia, Gasteria, Peperomia, and some Jade…
Many succulent varieties are only available seasonally because of their growing and propagation cycles. During the growing season, we can usually restock sets and trays weekly. Most individual plants will go in and out of stock through the seasons, but they are also restocked weekly when available. Thursday is usually the best day of the week for finding plants in stock. Spring and Summer are generally the best seasons for availability.
Any product that is out of stock has an "Email me when a product is back in stock" button (shown above). Click the button and enter your email to be notified when it's available again. If this button isn't appearing, the plant may have very recently sold out - check back after a short while and the button should appear.
- Using very gritty succulent soil and pots with drainage holes
- Providing lots of sunlight and airflow
