Haworthia ‘Spider White’ is a delightful succulent plant, up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and up to 6 inches (15 cm) and in diameter, with distinctive green fleshy leaves, etched with strong white lines growing as a rosette. The leaves have pronounced ridges running across them, hence the rather lovely common name ‘Fairies Washboard’.
Although they can have small white flowers held above tall wirey stems, it is the beautiful leaves that it is grown for.
Scientific Name
Haworthia limifolia ‘White Spider’
Common Names
Fairy Washboard
Synonyms
Haworthia ‘Spider White’
Scientific Classification
How to Grow and Care
Haworthia are not considered difficult houseplants to grow—if you can keep a pot of aloe alive on a windowsill, chances are you can do the same with a dish of Haworthia.
As with all succulents, the most dangerous situation is too much water—they should never be allowed to sit in water under any circumstances. At the same time, these decorative little plants can be grown in interesting containers such as tea cups and even miniature baby shoes.
If you’re given a Haworthia in such a container, make sure the container had adequate drainage. If it doesn’t, it might be a good idea to pop the plant out of its container and add a layer of gravel to the bottom to reduce the wicking action of the soil above.
Finally, look out for sunburned spots on your plants.
Haworthia are small (usually remaining between 3 inches (7.5 cm) and 5 (12.5 cm) inches in height) and relatively slow-growing. They are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its dish, repot in the spring or early summer into a new wide and shallow dish with fresh potting soil.
