Haworthia angustifolia var. altissima — Haworthia Silver Spikes

🌱 Morphology
A slender and prolifically growing Haworthia that forms rosettes of narrow, elongated, and upright leaves, capable of reaching about 15 cm in length and around 1 cm in width. The grayish-green leaves taper progressively toward the apex and feature small, fine teeth on the margins and the keel. Its vertical silhouette and ability to produce numerous offsets allow it to form dense clusters over time. Compared to other forms of Haworthia angustifolia, it stands out for its longer, narrower, and more erect leaves, which give it a light appearance, almost like small vegetable spikes.

🌍 Origin, habitat and family
Native to the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, in the vicinity of Riebeek East, Sidbury, and the Grahamstown region (present-day Makhanda). It grows in savanna and thorny scrub vegetation, on stony ground and in crevices where the roots find protection and limited but usable moisture. The region has variable rainfall, with the influence of summer rains. Moderate temperatures and water availability favor growth, while droughts can slow it down. Like other narrow-leaved Haworthias, it can remain partially hidden among the vegetation or terrain, reducing direct sun exposure.

Family Asphodelaceae, tribe Alooideae, genus Haworthia.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 9b
It tolerates minimum temperatures close to −5 °C for short periods, provided the substrate is dry and the plant remains protected from prolonged frost. Cold combined with persistent humidity can damage the roots.

☀️ Lighting
It prefers abundant filtered light or bright semi-shade. A DLI PAR of 8–15 mol/m²/day promotes compact growth and maintains the grayish-green tone of the leaves. It can adapt to somewhat more intense lighting if acclimated gradually, but strong direct sun during the central hours of summer can cause burns and dehydration.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. It can grow when moderate temperatures and available moisture coincide, without depending exclusively on a fixed season. It is recommended to water deeply when the substrate is dry and let it dry completely before the next watering. During heat waves or cold periods, it is advisable to space out waterings. Its ability to produce numerous offsets makes it important to maintain an aerated substrate with good drainage, which allows the roots to renew without remaining continuously damp.

🌸 Flowering
It produces a thin, elongated inflorescence with small, white tubular flowers, streaked with greenish or brownish lines. The flowering is discreet and can appear when the plant is in active growth.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. is recommended, with a high content of bio-assimilable potassium and calcium. It is applied with watering, reducing or suspending fertilization during periods of rest or inactivity.

8x8 cm gourmet black pot

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 South African xerophyte in a 9x9 cm pot.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant measurements are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living thing! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.