Succulent Help: Zebra Cactus

6 years ago

I have just come home to my Zebra Cactus looking distraught. Could use help in identifying if this looks like a case of under-watering or too much direct sunlight (or both?).

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Comments (4)

socks
6 years ago
Does that little cup have a hole? That would be necessary.

It would not appreciate direct sunlight, or possibly the potting mix is retaining too much water, especially if there is no hole in it. That red section in the first pic could be sunburn.

Succulents are best not double-potted as yours is. It creates extra humidity around them.

Frankly, I'm not sure what's going on with your plant, but I would repot in a regular pot (not clear like that one seems to be). Don't get a bigger pot, approximately that size should be ok. Use commercial cactus & succulent mix and combine it 50/50 with perlite, both available from your nursery. Keep it in bright light and don't water for a couple days after repotting. Keep in a bright location w/o direct sunlight.

My 2 cents.
socks
6 years ago
Here are mine in a bright window. I water very sparingly. When watering, let the water run out the hole. Never let it sit in water.
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s g
6 years ago
Looks like underwatering. How often do you water it and how much water do you give it?
robinswfl
6 years ago
It's not a cactus. I believe it's a Haworthia attenuata. If you had it in direct sunlight, that is probably one of the problems. I think the other is under watering. In your 2nd photo, the leaves look dried and crunchy.

I definitely agree with the repotting suggestion -- and with the suggestion for a cactus/succulent mix (not Miracle Gro preferably) with 50% perlite (sifted and washed to remove dust) or preferably pumice if you have it. Depending on your location, you can even increase to 60/40, with perlite being the large proportion and the soil mix being the smaller one.

I live in FL where the weather is warm almost all year, and the sun is furious. I grow ALL my plants outdoors, but under a covered lanai -- so they get bright sun but shaded sun. Haws, like all succulents, should be watered when they are dry and watered thoroughly so the water leaves the drainage hole -- and then watered again when they are dry, not damp. Haws like a planting mix with good drainage, decent light but no direct sunlight, and fresh air if you can give them some.