Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Cactus SucculentHouseplants

Haworthia retusa
  • RHS AGM

star cactus

A succulent perennial with rosettes of very thick, triangular, translucent green leaves, with small tubular white flowers in racemes to 50cm tall, in late winter

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter White Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Asphodelaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Haworthia are stemless succulent perennials forming rosettes of fleshy leaves often bearing white tubercles, and with tubular flowers in racemes

Name status

Correct

Plant range
South Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Provide low humidity. Water freely when in growth and keep just moist at other times. Apply a dilute low nitrogen fertilizer fortnightly during late spring and summer. Stand outside in summer

Propagation

Propagate by seed or offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.