Haworthiopsis reinwardtii - Reinwardt Haworthia, zebra plant

Haworthiopsis reinwardtii, still offered under its former name Haworthia reinwardtii, is known as Reinwardt's Haworthia or the Zebra plant. This succulent forms small columns of sculptural rosettes, perfect for windowsills, offices, shelves and cactus displays. Its simple cultivation, small size and good longevity make it an excellent houseplant, even for those who easily "forget" to water. Non-toxic to cats and dogs, it is also suitable for homes with pets.

Botanically, Haworthiopsis reinwardtii is a perennial succulent plant that forms a small undershrub, long classified in the genus Haworthia. Among its main botanical synonyms are Aloe reinwardtii and Haworthia reinwardtii. Its natural range is in the Eastern Cape province, between Peddie, East London, Port Alfred and the Fish and Kowie river basins. It grows on dry rocky hills and cliffs, both in the open and in the shade of rock blocks or large bushes. This adaptation to poor stony environments explains its great drought tolerance and its need for good drainage.

The plant develops short, upright stems, bearing narrow rosettes that can reach 15 to 20 cm in height. The numerous, rigid leaves are triangular and pointed, arranged in a tight spiral, giving it the appearance of a compact column. Each leaf measures up to 6–7 cm in length and about 2 cm wide at the base; they are olive green to greenish-brown, sometimes more browned in strong light, and entirely covered with flattened white tubercles on the outer surface, arranged in regular rows. The plant easily produces offsets from its crown, forming a dense cushion over time. Growth is slow to moderate: under good conditions, it takes a few years to obtain a nice clump.
Indoors, flowering remains random and only occurs on well-established specimens, grown in full light and very good conditions. In spring, a long, slender peduncle rises up to 25-30 cm in height, bearing a cluster of small pinkish-white or greenish-white tubular, 1 to 2 cm, slightly curved flowers.

Indoors, Haworthiopsis reinwardtii appreciates bright light, with a few hours of morning or late afternoon sun. The ideal temperature is around 18 to 26 °C, close to room temperature; below 10 °C, there is a risk of damage. The ambient humidity of homes suits it very well. Its growing medium must be very well-draining, such as a cactus and succulent mix; in winter, watering should be very infrequent. Like other haworthias, this species is non-toxic to humans and pets.

Haworthiopsis reinwardtii can spend the warmer season outdoors, provided you wait until nights remain consistently above 10 °C. Place it first in light shade or bright partial shade to acclimatise it to the sun, never in the burning sun on the terrace. It will benefit from the better light between May and September, depending on the region, but it must be brought back inside as soon as cool, damp nights return.

This small plant, nicknamed succulent tower or king cactus, fits into small terracotta pots lined up on a windowsill, in an office or a well-lit kitchen. It can be placed in a wide trough, or in coordinated pots, alongside a Jade Tree (Crassula ovata) and with Portulacaria afra ‘Macrophylla’ (Elephant Bush), another South African shrubby plant. To add soft volume around this haworthia, you can add a Sedum morganianum or "string of tears" Senecio herreianus adapted to the same conditions. The result is an artistic, low-water and long-lasting display that easily finds a place on a shelf, a kitchen counter or in a temperate conservatory.