Haworthiopsis coarctata

Haworthiopsis coarctata

Family: Asphodelaceae, formerly Xanthorrhoeaceae
Common Name: Haworthiopsis
Origin: Haworthiopsis coarctata originates from the rocky terrains of Eastern Cape, South Africa, extending from Grahamstown to Addo in the west and Fish River in the east.
Description: H. coarctata is a stemless succulent that develops a solid column of fleshy rosettes. The leaves are dark green with raised white tubercles, smaller, smoother, and rounder than those of H. reinwardtii, with which the species is often confused. Additionally, the leaves of H. coarctata are wider and slightly fatter than H. reinwardtii.
From late spring to fall, mature rosettes will produce a whip-like raceme, up to 12 inches tall, that bears greenish-white, tubular flowers.

Interesting Features:
- When exposed to bright sun or cold, the leaves of H. coarctata will develop a reddish to purple tint, and will become compact.
Uses: Haworthiopsis coarctata is valued by traditional African healers as a replacement for H. attenuata and H. limifolia, succulents used to treat a variety of physical and spiritual ailments.
- Historically, the species have been prized as intelezi plants to ward off evil spirits and confer bravery to soldiers in battle.
- Additionally, the plants are used in mathithibala, or love-binding spells, to develop mutual love and obedience in treated individuals.

Cultivation and Care:

Watering: Moderate
- During the summer and spring growing seasons, water deeply whenever the soil is dry, and reduce irrigation to every other month in winter.
- Additionally, avoid rot by ensuring that succulents are never kept in standing water, and that the rosettes remain dry when watering.
Soil: Haworthiopsis coarctata should be planted in a very well-draining soil with a non-acidic pH. Sand, loam, and compost can be added to regular potting soil if succulent or cactus substrate is not available.
Lighting: For the best growth, provide up to 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight each day, reducing to partial shade during the afternoons.
- More sun will lead to compact leaves, but will also turn flesh a reddish-purple.
Propagation: H. coarctata can be propagated through offsets, leaf cuttings, and seed. However, seed does not keep in storage, and should be used as soon as possible – germinated in agar or sown directly after the last frost.
- For cuttings, simply twist a leaf to remove from the parent plant, and allow to callous before planting.
Cold Tolerance: 25°F, USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.
Special Accommodations: In the summer, plants should be fed fortnightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer diluted to half strength. Transplanting is only necessary for young plants or offsets, and should be done with fresh soil in spring or early summer.
- Additionally, this species is not cold tolerant and should be protected from all frost.

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