Haworthia (I think) turning brown at base

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I've seen a few posts about Haworthias turning brown, but I'm still confused.

Little history, I've had this plant for a little over a month, it was purchased from a superstore (not a store specializing in plants). It's grown A LOT since I've bought it. There's a lot of new growth coming out of the main shoot. However, the leaves at the base are turning hard and brown ultimately to the point of falling off (I've attached a picture of one that fell off today).
I water only when the soil is dry, I think I've watered it twice since I've had the plant. It sits on a bookshelf in a North facing window (amongst other plants which have had no issue -- christmas cactus and wax plant). Of note there's also another succ in the pot, it's doing very well and there's an english ivy (which keeps dying [any tips for english ivy?]).

What's happening to my plant?? I've seen some comments to other posts that say just leave on the dead leaves, I've seen others say unpot the plant and remove the dead part.

Ideally, I'd like to leave on the leaves and let them fall off because I feel like I'll kill my plant if I have to remove it from the pot.

Please help!

Also if someone could give me a genus species of this plant it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Featured Answer

Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)

9 years ago

I saw a woman at the Huntington Botanical Garden Spring plant sale ask about putting a rare lithops in a terrarium. The volunteer was trying as politely as possible to explain that was a bad idea. I wasn't quite as polite. Stupid Pinterest.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

lmontestella
9 years ago
Sorry to tell you this but it's a badly grown Haworthia in an inappropriate setting (the plant w/ the white spots).

If sold that way, shame on them as succulents in glass bowls jars (w/no holes in the bottom) are doomed to die.

Those brown based leaves can be natural die-off if strictly from the bottom, or also can be indicative of root rot. If you don't want the plant to die, you MUST get it out of there! Needs a clay or plastic pot WITH A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM.

Also pls. remove that mossy stuff from the top, it's also likely to promote rot.

I'd forget the English Ivy altogether. Growing Ivy indoors is like a bug magnet & likely you'll regret it. often folks do.

Sorry for all the bad news, but that plant is likely salvageable if you'd just get it out of the glass.

Lena
r3n33e thanked lmontestella
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
Everything as Lena said.

Unless Haworthia grew few new leaves, it has not grown a lot but stretched - looking for some more light. It doesn't need full sun, but in shadier spot will be lighter color and not as compact as it should be.

The watery-yellow leaves are sign of too much water. Old leaves naturally dry and shrivell, but don't get that water-logged color.

It is much better not to plant different plants together, as many have very different watering and light needs. Some succulents and cacti could be together and look nice, but better not to combine with tropicals.
r3n33e thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
Related Professionals
Londonderry Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lake Oswego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Taylorsville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Andover Landscape Contractors · Fort Worth Landscape Contractors · Severna Park Landscape Contractors · Conneaut General Contractors · North Highlands General Contractors · Northfield General Contractors · Rossmoor General Contractors · University City General Contractors · Waianae General Contractors · Woodstock Carpenters · Alexandria Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Urbana Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
r3n33e
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both for your knowledge! Unfortunately it was bought in the set up you currently see it. Ill try removing the plant and placing it in a pot with a draining hole, hopefully it can be salvaged!

Also, thanks for the note on the ivy. Im not too fond of bugs....

-R
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
yes, pot the other plants separately, and more important - pot succulents into containers with drainage holes.
Kim
9 years ago
I agree on all counts. The only things that you can grow in a bowl like that, to my knowledge, are a lot of Utricularia species and marimo moss balls. So, basically aquatic to semi-aquatics.

Pretty sure I have seen arrangements like this for sale....drives me crazy.
aztcqn
9 years ago
These haworthias are pretty resilient, but, do plant it in its own well draining mix and pot. Being Spring (growth season) good chance it will stabilize and grow well once in the right environment.