Care of the succulent plant Haworthia limifolia or Fairies Washboard |
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The genus Haworthia, family Asphodelaceae, comprises 100 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Haworthia limifolia, Haworthia herbacea, Haworthia attenuata, Haworthia angustifolia, Haworthia retusa, Haworthia pumila, Haworthia variegata, Haworthia fasciata, Haworthia cooperi, Haworthia arachnoidea, Haworthia cuspidata, Haworthia viscosa, Haworthia marumiana, Haworthia reinwardtii, Haworthia turgida, Haworthia truncata. Common names: Fairies Washboard, File Leafed Haworthia. This species is native to Cape Province, South Africa. They are fairly small succulent plants that form rosettes 6 cm (2.36") high and 10 cm (3.93") in diameter; they tend to produce lateral suckers. The leaves are glossy dark green and conical in shape; they have ridges that look like the skin of a crocodile. The flowers appear on long stems up to 30 cm (11.8") high but are very small and white with green lines. They bloom in spring and summer. Fairies Washboard is used in pots that are wider than they are tall with other haworthias or cacti such as indoor, patio, terrace or greenhouse plants. Haworthia limifolia prefers a semi-shadow or dimmed light exposure; direct sun in the middle of the day can burn the leaves. The winter safety temperature is 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. Water moderately in spring and summer always waiting for the substrate to dry completely. In autumn, reduce the water a lot; in winter water every 50 days at most. It is important that the ventilation is correct so as not to accumulate humidity. Fertilize with mineral fertilizer for cacti in spring but diluted to half the usual dose. File Leafed Haworthia does not need pruning. Haworthia limifolia is a plant resistant to pests and diseases if there is not an excess of humidity. Fairies Washboard propagates easily by separation of suckers. |
Images of the succulent plant Haworthia limifolia or Fairies Washboard |
 Haworthia limifolia  Haworthia limifolia  Haworthia limifolia |