Haworthia Flowering Stem Bloom Explained

Haworthia is a genus of succulent plants that are native to the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The plants have small leaves and sometimes grow into clusters, but they are most well known for their flowering stems. Keep reading to learn about the haworthia flowering stem bloom!

Does Haworthia Bloom?

Yes, the haworthia blooms. In fact, haworthia flowers grow from their stems instead of growing from their leaves or tips. This is called a flowering stem bloom.

Haworthias are unique in that they have small leaves and sometimes grow into clusters, but they are most well known for their flowering stems.

The flowers resemble a bright white star with a yellow center. Blooming occurs when haworthias have been grown in optimal conditions: well-drained soil, good air circulation but not too much sun exposure (which can cause leaf spots), and plenty of water, especially during the summer months.

Do Haworthia Die After Flowering?

No. The haworthia is not a monocarpic plant, which means haworthia doesn’t die after flowering. The plant will continue to grow every season.

When Do Haworthia Bloom?

Species of this plant are found in a variety of climates, including those with abundant and sporadic rainfall. This means that different types of haworthia will bloom at different times. Typically, a haworthia will bloom in the summer or autumn.

My own haworthia tends to bloom in the summer. However, it is such a slow-growing plant that the flowers take a while before they become attractive.

The Haworthia Flowering Stem Explained

Haworthia blooms generally display on the end of long stems, called an inflorescence.

Haworthias are known for being small succulents. But the flowering stem usually grows significantly longer, periodically producing flowers along its length.

As flowering stems get fuller, more buds will appear as the stem grows longer. In fact, this stem looks like it doesn’t belong on the haworthia at all!

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most interesting things about haworthia plants is that they’re able to flower without dying. This allows them to grow exceptionally long stems, such as those in the photograph.

Should You Cut The Haworthia Stem?

With stems able to grow to over 16 inches long, many haworthia owners like to cut the stems after flowering.

Personally, I like to find out just how big the plant can get, so I leave mine to grow.

Cutting the stem stops the haworthia from going out of control. At the end of the day, it will come done to your own specific tastes.

To trim your haworthia, use a pair of sterilized scissors to cut the stem down to a few centimetres.

How Do You Get Haworthia To Flower?

The haworthia takes a while before it can flower. In fact, you may need to wait until the plant is a few years old before you can even entertain the idea.

I like to encourage growth by giving the plant extra light. I don’t mean direct sunlight though, as this can cause sunburn. Extra in-direct light will give your plant what it needs to grow.

Along with the sun, you should make sure you are meeting all of the basic care requirements, which I have listed below.

As a succulent, the number one rule is to be strict with your watering. Too much water can result in root rot and a dying haworthia plant. Only water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.

I usually water my haworthia every 10 days or so. This time stretches to roughly 20 days during the winter months.

Basic Care Guide

Haworthia are one of the most popular houseplants because they’re so easy to take care of. If you just do a few things, your Haworthia should thrive and stay healthy for many years:

  • The first step is watering: Haworthias typically like soil that’s dry in between watering.
  • You don’t need to fertilize them unless there’s some problem with the potting mix.
  • Repot every couple years into fresh potting mix.
  • Keep Haworthias in moderate temperatures and out of strong direct light.
  • They can grow outdoors, but should be brought inside when winter comes along with frosty conditions.

Conclusion

To conclude, the haworthia is a unique plant that can flower on its stem. It’s a very easy plant to grow and can be useful for beginners looking into growing succulents.

Also, haworthia is a plant that carries on surviving once it has flowered. This is because they are not monocarpic plants.

Take good care of your haworthia plant, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful blooming plant that commands attention.