Zebra Plant
Haworthiopsis attenuata
📖 About this plant
The Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis attenuata, formerly Haworthia attenuata) is one of the most recognizable and beloved succulents, featuring rigid, dark green triangular leaves adorned with striking white horizontal stripes and raised white tubercles. The zebra-like pattern gives it a bold, graphic appearance that makes it a favorite for modern interiors and succulent collections. It stays compact and low-growing, producing offsets (babies) freely around the base to form attractive clumps over time. Despite its exotic appearance, it’s one of the easiest succulents to grow and nearly indestructible indoors.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright Indirect Light to Light Shade
When soil is completely dry (every 2-4 weeks)
30-50%
15-27°C (60-80°F)
Well-draining succulent/cactus mix with extra perlite
Diluted succulent fertilizer 2-3 times during spring and summer
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- South Africa (Eastern Cape Province)
- 📏 Max height
- 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall
- 📐 Spread
- 10-15 cm (4-6 in) wide
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer (mature plants only, rarely indoors)
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White tubular flowers on thin tall spikes
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark green triangular leaves with bold white horizontal stripes and white tubercles
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial (5-15+ years)
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets — completely safe for households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Leaf cuttings or offsets (pups) separated at the base; allow callus before planting
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets — completely safe for households
Common issues
- Orange discoloration from too much direct sun
- root rot from overwatering
- shriveled leaves from underwatering
- mealybugs hiding between leaf bases
- etiolation in low light
💡 Care tips
- This is one of the most forgiving succulents — it tolerates lower light better than most.
- The white stripes and tubercles are more pronounced in bright indirect light.
- Avoid wetting the rosette when watering — pour water directly onto soil.
- Offsets can be gently separated and potted independently once they have their own roots.
- Great for offices with fluorescent lighting.
