What are the correct cultivation methods and precautions for Haworthia cooperi?

In midsummer, be sure to water sparingly; the growing season is spring and autumn, and generally water only when the soil is dry; during the growing season give plenty of light but avoid scorching sun; the suitable growing temperature is 15°C—25°C, and in winter keep it above 5°C; grasp the flower stalk and wiggle it left and right to pull it out during the growing season. To prevent the leaf lobes from shrivelling, be sure to pay attention to watering and light during the growing season.

1. Key points for cultivation

Watering

Haworthia cooperi likes a cool, semi-shaded environment; its main growing season is spring and autumn. It is drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant, dislikes high temperatures, humidity and scorching sun, and is afraid of deep shade and waterlogged soil.

Therefore, in midsummer be sure to water sparingly to prevent water accumulating in the pot soil, which would cause root rot.

Haworthia cooperi must not be rained on, so if you are a gardener who keeps it on the balcony, do not forget this little Haworthia cooperi when it rains!

Light

During the growing season give plenty of light; if it is too shaded, the plant will become loose and not compact, the leaves will be thin and elongated, and the transparency of the “window” will be poor.

If the light is too strong, the leaves will grow poorly and turn light reddish-brown, and sometimes strong direct sunlight will even scorch the leaves, leaving ugly scars. Plants grown in semi-shade have thick, plump leaves with high transparency.

In summary, give bright light, but not scorching sun.

Humidity

Haworthia cooperi likes an environment with a certain amount of air humidity; when the air is dry, you can often spray water on the plant and its surroundings to increase the air humidity.

During the growing season you can also cut off the upper half of a transparent, colourless drinks bottle and cover the plant with it, so that it grows in a small environment with moist air; this makes the leaves plump and the transparency of the “window” higher.

But in the hot summer season be sure to remove the cover, so that the plant does not rot from the stuffy heat.

2. Precautions

The plump, fresh leaf lobes of Haworthia cooperi are its most lovely feature; to prevent the leaf lobes from shrivelling, be sure to pay attention to watering and light during the growing season.

During the growing season, follow “do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when you do” for watering; avoid waterlogging, and even more so avoid rain, especially prolonged rain. All of this is to avoid root rot.

But it should not be kept dry for a long time either, otherwise the leaves will shrivel, the leaf colour will be dull and it will lack vitality, losing the “jade dew” lustre.

Haworthia cooperi likes a semi-shaded environment; as for light, it can neither be scorched by the sun nor kept in full shade. So an environment such as a balcony corner where Haworthia cooperi can be grown is best.