Caring for an Haworthia Cooperi Plant The Complete Guide
Haworthia cooperi, also known as the Cooper’s haworthia or window haworthia, is a small and compact succulent plant native to South Africa With its unique translucent leaves that look like pieces of art glass, this little plant is unlike any other succulent and is a must-have for serious plant collectors.
Caring for an haworthia cooperi may seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite easy once you understand its basic needs. In this complete care guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your cooper’s haworthia happy and healthy.
Light Requirements
Haworthia cooperi thrives in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate some direct morning sun, too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves and cause them to turn reddish-brown.
An east or west-facing window is ideal for providing the right amount of light. If you don’t have a good window location, consider using a grow light to supplement the sunlight. Avoid keeping the plant in dark corners or rooms with no windows, as this will cause elongated, weak growth.
Watering Your Cooper’s Haworthia
As a succulent, haworthia cooperi stores water in its leaves and prefers infrequent but deep watering. Only water when the soil has completely dried out, which usually takes 1-2 weeks.
Check the soil with your finger before watering – if it’s still damp underneath, hold off. Soak the soil completely when you do water, until water drains from the drainage holes at the bottom. Then allow any excess water to drain away before returning the pot to its saucer.
These plants are prone to rot if overwatered, so err on the side of underwatering. Their leaves will start to wrinkle and shrivel slightly when they need a drink.
Soil Requirements
Haworthia cooperi needs a fast-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. You can make your own by combining equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, perlite and/or pumice. The soil should dry out in a week or less after watering.
If you notice the soil staying wet for longer periods, add more perlite/pumice to improve drainage. Good drainage is crucial to prevent rot and other problems.
Temperature and Humidity
Haworthia cooperi thrives in average household temperatures between 65-80°F. Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F or sudden drops in temperature.
High humidity is not essential for this plant, but it should be kept away from hot, dry heat sources that may dry out the air. Avoid drafty areas as well.
Fertilizer
Feed haworthia cooperi lightly in spring and summer by adding a half-strength, balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Dilute the fertilizer to 1/4 strength if using a slow-release granular fertilizer.
Too much fertilizer can damage the roots and leaves, so more is definitely not better. These plants are light feeders and can thrive without fertilizer if given the right care.
Repotting Your Cooper’s Haworthia
Repot haworthia cooperi every 2-3 years in spring, or whenever it becomes rootbound. Move it into a pot one size larger, keeping the same soil mix. Handle the plant gently by the base when repotting to avoid damaging the fragile leaves and roots.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes – a terra cotta or plastic pot works well. Shallow pots help prevent overwatering but aren’t mandatory.
Propagating Your Plant
Haworthia cooperi propagates easily through offsets, or baby plants that form around the base of the mother plant. Carefully remove offsets with roots attached and repot into small containers.
You can also take leaf cuttings in spring or summer. Remove a healthy leaf, let its end callous over, and place it in dry soil. Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. New plants should sprout in a few weeks.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
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Brown, withered leaves – Caused by too much direct sun. Move to a shadier spot.
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Mushy, translucent leaves – Sign of overwatering. Allow soil to dry out completely before watering again.
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Leggy, weak growth – Needs more sunlight. Slowly introduce to brighter conditions.
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Wrinkled, shriveled leaves – Underwatered. Water thoroughly.
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Mealybugs – Remove insects with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Root rot – Repot in fresh, dry soil. Water less frequently.
With the right location and care, haworthia cooperi is a hardy succulent that can thrive for years. Its unique appearance makes it a prized collector’s item. Follow this complete care guide and you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of your own cooper’s haworthia!
How to fertilize Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
It’s common for Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae is native to Southern Africa.
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
USDA Hardiness Zone Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Taxonomy Scientific name
Haworthia cooperi var. isabellae needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5″ pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every 12
Does your plant get direct sunlight? No Yes
Select the pot size
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WINDOW HAWORTHIA CARE GUIDE – HOW TO GROW HAWORTHIA COOPERI AND OTHER WINDOW SUCCULENTS INDOORS
FAQ
How often should I water Haworthia cooperi?
Water at least once a week, or whenever the top two inches of soil feel dry and be sure to let it drain completely. In the winter months, when Haworthia Cooperi will go dormant, so reduce your watering to once a month or whenever you see that its leaves are starting to shrivel.
How do you care for indoor Haworthia?
- Water. Water your plant once a month with a small amount of water straight into the soil.
- Dry Soil. Let the soil dry out in between waterings to prevent the plant from becoming oversaturated.
- Position. Place your Haworthia in a bright and airy room with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.
Do you water Haworthia from the top or bottom?
In instances where succulents are severely dehydrated, bottom watering is a highly effective method to restore their plumpness within a relatively short period. Typical examples are succulents of the Pachyphytum and Haworthia cooperi succulents.
How much light does Haworthia cooperi need?
Light: Haworthia cooperi thrives in bright, indirect light. Place it near a window where it can receive ample light but is shielded from the harsh midday sun, which can scorch its leaves. A north or east-facing window is ideal. Water: Water sparingly, only when the soil has completely dried out.