Accepted Scientific Name: Haworthia maraisii Poelln.
Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 38: 194. 1935
Haworthia magnifica var. maraisii (Haworthia maraisii) Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano
Origin and Habitat: Western Cape, South Sfrica, from Heidelberg westwards to Stormsvlei, Napier, Robertson, Montagu and Worcester.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Haworthia maraisii
Common Names include:
AFRIKAANS (Afrikaans): Donkerkannetjie
Description: Haworthia maraisii (var. maraisii) previously placed by Bayer under Haworthia magnifiea as var. maraisii, is a dwarf acaulescent succulent rosette with firm, spreading, dark green leaves readily forming clusters.
Rosettes: 4-7 cm in diameter with few to many leaves.
Leaves: Ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, flat above, very dark green, opaque, rough with small irregular raised tubercles, up to 4 cm long and 1 cm across End-area acuminate with 3 longitudinal lines, margin and keel with prominent teeth with an apical spines.
Inflorescence: Up to 30 centimetres long.
Flowers: White with green veins and often with a yellow throat. The tips of the outer tepals are squeezed.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Haworthia maraisii group
- Haworthia maraisii Poelln.: Rosettes readily forming clusters. Leaves 3-5 cm long with irregular tubercles; margins with noticeable teeth: end-area with 3 longitudinal lines.
- Haworthia maraisii var. meiringii M.B.Bayer: Leaves erect, green. end-area poorly defined, both surfaces with bristly tubercles, margin and keel with pronounced teeth.
- Haworthia maraisii var. notabilis (Poelln.) M.B.Bayer: Leaves spreading-erect, green becoming brown-purple in full sun, end-area not markedly separate. both surfaces with bristly tubercles, margin and keel toothed. Flower usually with a yellow throat.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Gordon D. Rowley “The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents” Crown Publishers, 01/Aug/1978
2) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/Jun/2000
3) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons” Springer, 2001
4) Charles L. Scott “The genus Haworthia (Liliaceae): a taxonomic revision” Aloe Books, 1985
5) Stuart Max Walters “The European Garden Flora: Pteridophyta, Gymbospermae, Angiospermae-Monocotyledons” Cambridge University Press, 1984
6) M. B. Bayer “The new Haworthia handbook” National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, 1982
7) John Pilbeam “Haworthia and Astroloba: A Collector's Guide” B. T. Batsford Limited, 1983
8) Bruce Bayer “Haworthia revisited: a revision of the genus” Umdaus Press, 1999
9) Bayer, M.B and van Jaarsveld, E. 2001.” Haworthia. in Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons.” Springer, Berlin.
10) Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith “Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity” Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/Jul/2000
11) British Cactus and Succulent Journal 1: 32. f. 7. 1983
12) Natl. Cact. Succ. J. 32: 18 1977
Cultivation and Propagation: Haworthia are of easy cultivation and relatively low maintenance, which makes them a good houseplant, and can be an excellent subject for the beginning succulentophile (they can grow easily on window sills, verandas and in miniature succulent gardens where they are happy to share their habitat with other smaller succulent plants, or in outdoor rockeries).
Growth rate: They are relatively slow-growing plants that offsets freely to form small clusters.
Soil: They are tolerant of a wide range of soils and habitats, but prefer a very porous potting mix to increase drainage. A non-acid soil is ideal. You can grow a plant in a 10-15 cm pot for years and have perfectly happy plants. Needs a deep pot to accommodate the long, thick, contractile roots.
Fertilization: The plants are fertilized only once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength.
Watering: It needs regular water, but do not water again until dry. Also, it is a species that is dormant in the winter and requires very little water (maybe even none) during the cold months.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required. Minimum of 5ºC for safe growing (but hardy up to -5°C or less.)
Sun Exposure: Requires light shade to bright light (protect from strong midday sun). In shade the body colour will remain mostly green, while full sun will darken and give it a rich pink-red body colour. Can be sunburned if moved from shade/greenhouse into full sun too quickly. The amount of sunlight it can withstand without scorching depends upon the how hot it becomes in the summer in the location in which it is planted. It will have more colour if it receives more light. During the spring it may be able to take full sun until the heat arrives at the end of spring. In an area that has hot afternoon sun, it may be able to take full morning sun, but requires afternoon shade or afternoon light shade.
Remarks: Haworthias are best planted in a shaded and airy part of the greenhouse, and not too close to the glass roof or sides of the house as the plants can overheat during hot spells.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Haworthia if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. Care must be given in watering, keeping them warm and wet while growing, and cooler and dry when dormant.
Propagation: Offsets that appear at the base between the leaves; leave them attached to form a cluster, or wait until they are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant.