Haworthias, often dubbed as “polka-dotted” or “zebra” plants, are dainty succulent houseplants that are well-loved for their exotic, aloe vera-like appearance and soft, fleshy leaves.
These succulents come in multiple classifications, with at least 60 named species and approximately 150 named varieties.
Due to their small size, filling a flowerbed of haworthia plants can be pretty expensive. As a result, owners would often propagate them instead of buying multiple Haworthias at a time.
Luckily, Haworthia care is surprisingly easy, and propagating these gorgeous succulents is easy too. This article guides you through propagating Haworthia plants!
What’s the Easiest Way to Propagate Haworthia Plants?
Like most succulents, there are three methods to propagate haworthia plants:
- Seeds
- Leaf-cutting
- Offset division
Each one comes with a set of techniques that need to be followed.
Haworthia seeds can be obtained online or from a blooming haworthia. Seeds that are found online give you the chance to propagate several haworthia species at a time, but they’re usually quite costly.
Propagation through leaf-cutting requires you to cut a healthy, young leaf from the haworthia plant with a sharp, sterilized knife.
As the name suggests, offset division requires you to split a haworthia pup or plantlet into two before planting them in a different pot.
Haworthia Propagation Through Seeds
The first method we’re going to look at is propagating haworthia plants through haworthia seeds.
Keep in mind that growing haworthia from seeds often takes an exceptional amount of time. Some may take several weeks or even months to germinate. With that said, seed propagation is a relatively straightforward process.
First, you must soak the seeds in warm water for about 30 minutes. This process softens their coat and allows the seedlings to propagate faster.
While waiting for the seedlings to soften, prepare your succulent pots by adding a decent amount of cactus soil mixture in each. Then, place several softened seedlings into the pots.
Once done, sprinkle just enough gravel or sand over the seeds to cover them. Give the soil a few quick spritzes of water and seal them in a plastic container or clear bag. Place said bag or container in an area where they’ll receive a decent amount of bright, indirect sunlight.
For the next several days, monitor the seedlings’ water levels. The seeds won’t grow if the soil is too dry or too wet. If algae begin to form, don’t panic! Open the container and let the soil dry before covering it again.
In a few weeks, you’ll notice the haworthia seeds sprouting. If this happens, keep them inside the bag until the pot is completely overgrown.
Popular Haworthia Varieties Include:
Haworthia Propagation Through Leaf Cutting
For this method, you’ll need to choose a healthy, young leaf from your haworthia plant. Avoid older leaves near the base of the plant as they don’t root as well as the juvenile leaves.
Make sure your haworthia is at the beginning of its growing season or at the end of its dormancy period.
Using a small but sharp precision knife, cut off the leaf from the base of the haworthia. You can also gently twist the leaf from the plant, but be extremely careful as this might tear the leaf.
Once you’ve extracted the leaf, dip the edge in rooting hormone if you have it available. Rooting hormone powder can help speed up the propagation process of your haworthia plant.
Give the leaf you’ve cut several days to dry and heal. If the edge of the leaf has scabbed over, it’s now ready to plant.
Afterward, fill a pot with a cactus potting mix and place the leaf on the soil. Water the leaf and put it in an area where there’s plenty of bright, indirect light.
The leaf can be transplanted once it establishes a solid rooting system. This may take anywhere between two to five weeks.
Haworthia Propagation Through Offset Division
Due to its high success rate, offset division is my favorite method when it comes to haworthia propagation.
This method is best done during spring and fall, where offset shoots are common. Wait until the offset has at least four leaves so that it’ll survive the separation from the mother plant.
Loosen the soil with water and use a sharp knife or shears to remove the offshoots. You’ll want to get as many of the roots as possible, so make sure to cut close to the mother plant.
Place the pups in a pot with well-draining cactus soil. Allow them to dry before watering them. Again, like the two techniques above, place the small pot in a brightly lit area where there’s no direct sunlight. Water the plant sparingly for the next few weeks.
Wrapping Up
Haworthia propagation isn’t as complicated as one might initially think. Propagation through offset division is by far the easiest and fastest method to grow new haworthia. Still, propagation through seeds and leaf cuttings is also proven to have high success rates.
Try any of the above methods and see what best suits you. Good luck!