Haworthia is a flowering succulent whose leaves resemble that of aloe vera. With a small fleshy rosette leaf arrangement, this succulent is one of the slowest-growing houseplants.
Though Haworthia does flower, it is not easy to bloom this plant. If you see a long stem with a white flower at the end, this flowering stem bloom is probably under ideal growing conditions.
Unlike other succulents, Haworthia plants don’t die after flowering. Under adequate watering and ample sunlight, this succulent can continue to flower multiple times without dying.
Prominently used as an indoor plant, Haworthia needs a bright, direct morning sun with well-drained soil.
Applying a balanced cactus fertilizer during growing seasons can help this succulent to produce fleshy green leaves.
Does the Succulent Haworthia Flower?
Yes, Haworthia plants can flower without dying. But, it is not an easy task to make them bloom.
This slow-growing succulent produces a small-white flower at the end of an unusually long stem called an inflorescence.
Unlike other succulents, Haworthia is a slow-growing succulent that takes 2-3 years for the plant to mature and start blooming.
To see Haworthia bloom early, you need to bring a mature plant. It is not possible to witness the early bloom without an already-matured plant. The plant grows a long stem known as inflorescence when it is about to flower. This flowering stem grows up to 16 inches longer than the rest of the plant.
Does Haworthia Die After Flowering?
No, the Haworthia plant doesn’t die after flowering.
Depending on the optimal care provided, Haworthia continues to flower.
As mentioned already, it is not easy to make this slow-growing succulent bloom.
Various factors, including plant species, impact the growth and flowering of the plant.
Flowering is a natural part of a plant’s life cycle, and it loses energy when it blooms. But this doesn’t mean it’s the end of Haworthia after one flowering.
With adequate sun exposure, sufficient moisture, well-drained soil, ideal temperature and post-flowering care, you can encourage Haworthia to bloom multiple times without dying.
What Do The Flowers Look Like?
Haworthia produces small tubular-shaped white-coloured flowers. However, depending on the species, flower colour can range from white, pink, greenish-white or reddish-brown.
The flower emerges on a long stalk called an inflorescence from a rosette of fleshy leaves.
Haworthia plants are normally grown for their attractive green leaves. But a small white coloured flower on a long stem can enhance your indoor space’s aesthetic appeal.
Later, this article will delve into the necessary care practices for inducing blooming in Haworthia plants.
When Do Haworthia Flower?
Under favourable growing conditions, the Haworthia plant can flower in summer and autumn.
It is native to Southern parts of Africa and can survive in dry conditions.
There are about 60 different species of Haworthia plants, which differ in size, leaves and flowers.
Being a low-maintenance houseplant, Haworthia does well when the temperature is above 50F.
Overwatering houseplants is a common mistake made by indoor gardeners.
You should provide ideal growing conditions before the blooming period to encourage flowering.
How Often Does Haworthia Plant Bloom?
With a different range of leaf shapes and patterns, the Haworthia plant is one of the low-maintenance houseplants that need little to no care.
Depending on the species and growing conditions, the Haworthia plant can bloom once a year.
As it is not a monocarpic plant that flowers once and dies, Haworthia continues to produce blossoms year after year if you commit to providing ideal growing conditions.
Being a slow-growing succulent, the Haworthia plant may take 2-3 years to produce blossoms, depending on the suitable growing factors.
If you’re impatient like me, borrow a matured Haworthia plant from the nursery and pledge to mimic its native climatic conditions.
How to Get Haworthia to Flower?
As mentioned, there are 60 different species of Haworthia plant.
It is widely grown for its attractive rosette leaves. But a white bloom on a long flowering stem will elevate the beauty of your living space.
Unlike ornamental plants, it is not easy to make this succulent bloom.
Most gardeners opt for this succulent for its low maintenance and easy-to-grow, so you can’t expect the plant to bloom without care.
Below are the important growing requirements of the Haworthia plant.
Sunlight: Haworthia plant needs bright indirect sunlight
Place the succulent indoors on an east or west-facing windowsill. This ensures that the plant gets enough morning sunlight and helps to avoid scorching afternoon sunlight.
Important Tip: If your Haworthia plant isn’t blooming, ensure it gets extra sunlight. But avoid direct sunlight as it can burn leaves.
Water: Allow the potting soil to dry between watering
Almost all gardening experts agree that overwatering is the most common issue houseplants face.
Succulents can survive even if you don’t water them for a week.
Giving them extra water may result in root rot, and those fleshy leaves may turn yellow.
Haworthia, as mentioned, is a slow-growing plant that doesn’t need regular watering.
Let the growing medium dry by 2 inches before watering Haworthia.
In colder climates, you may have to hold watering the plant for more than 2 weeks.
To ensure the growing medium is dry, insert your index finger and check for moisture if the soil’s surface is dry at a depth of 2 inches, water generously until you see excess water draining from the hole.
Soil – sandy, a well-drained potting soil
Use a fast-draining potting soil to grow Haworthia plants.
A cactus potting mix is suitable for such succulents.
Choosing the right growing medium is essential for a healthy Haworthia plant. Else, you may end up with a chlorosis condition.
Ideal temperature for the Haworthia plant to bloom
Maintain the ideal temperature of 70-95F in summer. In winter, you should avoid a temperature drop below 50F.
Fertilizing
Apart from adding old compost to the potting soil, you should fertilize Haworthia during the growing season in summer and spring.
A well-balanced liquid fertilizer can do the work.
You can use liquid compost, manure or homemade organic liquid fertilizer to enrich the potting soil.
Haworthia Flowering Stem
A long stem grows out of those fleshy leaves, called inflorescence.
When you see the stem growing, water the plant frequently and give ample bright morning sunlight.
A small white-coloured bloom may appear on this flowering stem during the growing season, probably in summer.
Once the flower dies, you can leave the long stem to grow or trim back to a few centimetres.
I think rosette leaves with a long stem but no flowers, do not look aesthetically pleasing.
It may seem like another plant altogether.
To avoid an obstructed view, trim the flowering stem after blooming.
Also Read: What To Do With Hellebores When Finished Flowering?
What do you do with the Haworthia flowering stem after flowering?
As mentioned already, Haworthia isn’t a monocarpic plant that dies after flowering. With the right growing conditions, the succulent continues to bloom yearly.
But you can trim or prune the flowering stem without harming the plant.
Pruning keeps the plant beautiful with enticing leaves, preventing energy waste on a long stem.
To prune, use a sterilized cutter and trim the inflorescence by a few centimetres.
If not trimmed, it can grow up to 16 inches long.
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Conclusion
Haworthia is a slow-growing succulent that is native to the southern part of Africa. It is one of the low-maintenance and easy-to-grow succulents.
Haworthia plant blooms once a year, but it doesn’t die after flowering.
It may sometimes not bloom due to a lack of proper growing conditions.
Haworthia flower flower in summer only when you provide ample sunlight, adequate watering and well-drained soil.
You can make this succulent bloom by providing a little extra sunlight.
After flowering, you can trim the long flowering stem of Haworthia plant.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting