Haworthia help please!

9 years ago

Hi there, I'm new to cacti and succulent care, so you will probably see me posting around here quite a bit. Forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere, I saw a post from 2007 that was never truly answered due to poster's lack of info. Recently purchased a haworthia attenuata from Walmart, happy little looking thing, green as can be. Lately the weather has been warming up, so I let the little guy enjoy the sun on my East facing patio. However it's been a couple days, I watered once after reading Haworthia likes minimal watering just like my fairy castle cactus. Tonight I noticed his tips browning slightly, and a faint brown tint at the base of the leaves (it looks a bit more intense with the flash in my photos.) Any advice or diagnosis on what I might be doing wrong and why this little guy isn't so happy? Is this natural? Also any other Haworthia tips for watering, living conditions, etc would be SO helpful! Thank you all :)

Featured Answer

odyssey3

9 years ago

Haworthias generally like some shade outside and less light than many other succulents, like echeverias, crassulas, graptos, sedum, etc. Regardless of how much sun a succulent likes though, they all have to be acclimated to it gradually. If you just put your plant out on the porch all day after it has been in the dimer inside light levels, it will burn. I think you are seeing sunburn on your plant.

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Comments (7)

garrett222
9 years ago
I think it looks fine. If it had a sunburn, the base of the leaves, which are the most hidden part, would be the last part of the leaves to burn.
Veronica Murphy thanked garrett222
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
It looks fine to me too; some darker coloring at the base of leaves seems to be ok. And oldest leaves will eventually dry up. Definitely acclimatize to more light.

I know you didn't ask, but it looks like your potting 'soil' has lots of peat and maybe sand in it? Maybe you should consider making it more free draining. Did you see current thread with many great Haworthia photos - very free draining mix is used.
Veronica Murphy thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
Veronica Murphy
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone! I brought it back inside to my window (also facing east) Where it might have an easier time getting not too much direct sun, and will acclimate better. I'm new to plant care so I appreciate all the feedback beyond belief!
odyssey3
9 years ago
I don't know--Garrett and Rina certainly know more than I do but I still think I see sunburning evidence on the tips of the leaves--especially the one at 11:00 on the first photo. Also, if you did not notice these marks before putting it outside, I would say that had to be caused by the sun. In any event I agree it is nothing drastic.
Alisa (Singapore)
9 years ago
Some different colouration is natural but you'll want to pay attention to the browning in the centre. Just keep an eye out for issues, if it's getting squishy or anything else.

What is the soil like? It does look kinda sandy and peaty. It looks like it may be a little bit of a solid mass but it could just be the flash hm. Make sure it's loose and fluffy :)
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Veronica

You may want to look at -this thread- for similar question.

Thanks to odyssey for pointing that crisp tip, I didn't notice at first. Dry tips could be from not enough water - doesn't mean you should start watering a lot, just water when potting mix is almost completely dry. Check deep inside of pot with a wooden stick (bamboo skewer, chopstick, sharpened wood dowel, even pencil). Stick it deep inside of pot for few minutes. When pulled out & is clean and dry, time to water. If it feels damp/cold and may have small particles sticking to it - do not water yet, there is still enough moisture. Also check the rots - plant may not be able to absorb enough water if watered properly if the roots are damaged. Some haws are bit more prone to develop dry tips, but shouldn't be a long piece. I would suggest well draining mix - not so much fluffy, but grainy for good drainage.