Haworthia retusa aka African Emeralds

Taxonomy

Haworthia retusa is a species of flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, endemic to a small area around Riversdale in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This perennial succulent grows up to 10 cm tall and has thick triangular leaves that are translucent green. It produces small white tubular flowers in racemes that can reach up to 50 cm in height during late winter. Commonly known as Window succulent, Star cactus, or Aloe retusa, this popular plant is often found on window sills or in cactus gardens. With proper care, it can thrive for many years.

Common names

African Emeralds, Star Cactus

How to care for African Emeralds

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, African Emeralds is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

African Emeralds does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To keep your African Emeralds healthy, it's important to use a potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the African Emeralds prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for African Emeralds to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

African Emeralds is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

African Emeralds thrives in dry environments, but if you provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on its leaves could create an ideal environment for certain fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

The African Emeralds is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

African Emeralds’s native range is Southern Africa.

Flower

Yes, if you provide your African Emeralds with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia