Scientific: Haworthiopsis turgida (formerly Haworthia turgida)
Common: no common name
Family: Asphodelaceae (formerly Xanthorrhoeaceae)
Origin: Western Cape Province of South Africa
Pronounciation: Ha-wor-thee-OP-sis tur-GI-da
Hardiness zones
Sunset 12-24
USDA 9 (needs cold protection)-11
Landscape Use: Nice container plant for up close display on patios and front entryways, rock garden display plant, botanical collections, indoor house window plant.
Form & Character: Small, smooth, dense and compact, refined, glassy, delicate, subtle.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, succulent perennial, densely branched, rosetting and clumping to 4-inches tall with equal to greater spread.
Foliage/Texture: Small, succulent dull green, glassy leaves tapering to a dull point, leaves on adaxial (upper) surface with subtle markings, 2 inches in length; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Multiple, small white flowers in spring grow on elongated 8- to 14-inches long stalks called 'keels' (tends to flower less than Haworthiopsis attenuata; fruits inconspicuous.
Seasonal Color: Subtle flower colors in spring.
Temperature: Freeze intolerant, but heat tolerant, except of summer afternon temperatures above 115oF.
Light: Eastern morning sun only, otherwise shade.
Soil: Use a coarse well-drained substrate if growing in a container, otherwise well-drained soil.
Watering: Infrequent but regular water needed.
Pruning: None except to remove spent flower stalks in mid-summer.
Propagation: Division of offsets in a clump.
Disease and Pests: None
Additional comments: Haworthiopsis turgida is a great container or rock garden display plant for 'the up close and personal' look that does surprisingly well in Phoenix outdoors in locations protected from western summer sun. Beware though, those urban garden demons aka rabbits love 'to munch' on its leaves and javelina will 'root out' and consume entire clumps.
Two common Haworthiopsis turgida varieties include:
Haworthiopsis plants are just way too cool!
