Dead succulent (Haworthia) - trying to figure out what went wrong

5 years ago

Hi everyone,
So today I found this little guy completely dead - all of its leaves fell down and separated from the stem. Roots seem to be dead/rotten (mushy, dark brown):

I've had it for about 4 months and it did pretty good, I think? here it is just a month ago:

Watering it was a bit strange - it's in a succulent mix (obviously), but the soil got dry every two-three weeks (if not less) so this was my watering intervals, which is kinda strange/short for a succulent? Maybe it's because of the very small pot it was in (5.5cm/2inch nursery pot w/ 3 drainage holes)? When watering I soaked the soil completely and let it dry to the next watering.

Seems pretty clear it died because of over watering, but could it be something else? Last time I watered it was 4 days ago, so it kinda makes sense. I'll get a new one (luckily they're cheap ), what should I do differently? more time between watering (even tho the soil is bone dry?)

Thanks!

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User

5 years ago

Hm. Yeah, I agree with Robin, that soil does not look very friendly to haworthias, Yuv. Or to most succulents, frankly. It will not dry fast enough.

To answer your question, haworthias' growing culture absolutely does NOT apply to all or even most succulents. In general, it may apply only to winter-growing succulents that are native to certain parts of Africa where summers are too hot and arid. Most of them evolved the ability to go dormant in order to survive until it gets cooler.

In cultivation, haworthias, gasterias and aloes would tend to follow this rhythm, too. They would drop into dormancy when it is too hot or too cold. Although, I know growers who can keep these plants awake all year round outdoors in mild climates (I'm told such places with "mild climate" exist; I have my doubts).

If you decide to get another haworthia, I would follow Robin's suggestion about repotting it in an amended medium and adjust your watering. This particular cultivar that you got would tolerate a significant amount of neglect, but not extended periods of being in wet soil, especially when it is hot.

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Comments (8)

User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hi, Yu yu.

Haworthias are winter growers (daytime ave around 18 to 25C and nighttime temperature below 18 to 20C--and this day/night differential is important). There are hybrids that will tolerate the heat but none of them will survive frequent watering when day temps are over 30C and night temps are above 25C. Give or take a few degrees.

Because of the way your plant died from the center of the rosette, I suspect it stayed wet too long whilst it was too hot for it to be in active growth. Just to give you an idea, the temperature where I am is around 33C during the day and never below 21 at night. I have stopped watering all my haworthias which are all growing in soil-free pumice. Except for a few hybrids, most of them are dormant. If I water them now, with this temp range this time of year, they will melt like yours has. Sometimes, I would dare about 5 ml of water on some of them if I think they are starting to wrinkle. But that is rare.

Don't let this discourage you from getting another one, though. I hope you try again, haworthias are fantastic plants although I am biased (I have over 150 of them). Just out of curiosity, though, what does this "succulent soil" look like?
Yuval thanked User
Yuval
Original Author
5 years ago
This actually makes lot of sense! The past week was extremely hot here (35C~ outside) and I just happened to water it. I also watered my other plants but non reacted like the Haworthia. I will definitely keep this in mind & will let it be during the summer 😁 By the way, does this apply to other succulents as well?

The said 'succulent soil' (actually the pot it was in):
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
When watering I soaked the soil completely and let it dry to the next watering.

===>>> i dont do many succulents or cacti ... but i never water mine to saturation ... and frankly .. i dont even know how you could saturate a proper succulent media anyway ....

next try ... just give it a tablespoon or so ... perhaps call it maintenance watering ... and if it runs out the bottom.. you applied too much ...

ken
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
"i dont do many succulents or cacti ... but i never water mine to saturation ... and frankly .. i dont even know how you could saturate a proper succulent media anyway ... just give it a tablespoon or so ..."

And I would offer this is NOT the right way to water your succs :-) Like other houseplants - heck, ANY container planting - the soil media should be fully flushed when you water so that it runs freely out of the drain holes. Tilt to drain thoroughly and then do not water again until the plant tells you to. It's an acquired skill but is easily learned :-)
robinswfl
5 years ago
Gardengal is completely correct, in my opinion. I have between 80-90 succulents -- including Haworthia, Gasteria, Gasteraloe, Aloe, Euphorbia and Sansevieria. Every succulent plant gets watered until water drains out the drainage hole -- and there MUST BE a drainage hole. Then, it does not get watered again until the whole plant is dry. "Just give it a tablespoon or so...." DOES NOT WORK for succulent plants.

Pagan knows a tremendous amount of Haws, so I would follow his advice if I were you. I have done so in the past and with success. Also, I have concern about both the quality of what you call "succulent soil" as well as the fact that it was in a plastic pot that appeared to be subsequently housed in a cute ceramic pot. In my opinion, that plays a significant role in why your plant died from over-watering, from drowning, from retaining too much water. The soil itself appears in need of being amended -- by adding about 50% SIFTED and WASHED perlite or WASHED pumice to the soil. Also, I would quit with the cute-pot stuff until you get a plant that is established and visibly growing. Just a regular clay pot with a dainage hole will serve you and the Haworthia well.
socks
5 years ago
Too bad, Yu , hope you'll try again with another succulent haw. I have a few which i manage to keep alive. I appreciate the info provided here, didnt realize they are summer dormant. most of mine live outside.
robert567
5 years ago
Unless it is getting some hot direct sun, keep it quite dry. They can stay dry for months, though you probably should water some. Away from a window sill, do not soak. Be harsh, water little. Even if they do not rot, they do not grow properly when spoiled with water inside, eventually the plant will fail.