Plant library · Succulents & Cacti
Haworthiopsis attenuata
Zebra Haworthia is a compact, striped succulent that holds a neat 6-inch-tall and 6-inch-wide presence. Its small scale makes it useful as a close-view plant on a desktop, shelf, windowsill, or in a shallow succulent arrangement. The low, persistent rosette gives a planting a finished look without blocking nearby plants, while late-spring-to-summer flowers add a brief vertical accent.
Use Haworthiopsis attenuata in bright indoor positions with filtered light, keeping it near the front edge of a display where its leaf pattern can be seen easily. In containers, place it where the pot can drain freely and where watering is deliberate rather than frequent. Outdoors in Zones 10 and 11, it suits sheltered containers, rock-garden pockets, or small patio groupings rather than exposed, frost-prone ground.[1]
Allow a 6-inch by 6-inch mature footprint for each plant, and space plants 6 inches apart, center to center. That close spacing creates a continuous small-scale composition without giving up every gap between rosettes. In a mixed container, reserve the center for taller forms and set Zebra Haworthia around the rim or along the front, leaving enough open surface to reach the soil when watering.
Give it partial shade or bright, indirect light; harsh direct sun can mark or scorch the leaves. Use a free-draining cactus or succulent mix, especially in a container with a drainage hole. Let the growing medium dry between waterings, then water the root zone rather than repeatedly wetting the crown or foliage.[1]
Flowers appear from late spring into summer, rising above the compact foliage on slender stems. Keep this short-lived vertical display in mind when placing it beneath shelves, low windows, or other overhangs. The rosette itself remains the main design element through the rest of the year, so it can hold a small container composition together after bloom.
Avoid sites that stay wet or collect runoff from larger containers, as excessive moisture can lead to root problems. Protect plants from frost and cold drafts, and do not rely on a dim interior corner for their best appearance. A small pot is appropriate, but it should still have drainage and enough room to inspect the base as offsets develop.[1]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.