🌱 Morphology
   A sculptural-looking Haworthia, especially prized for its ability to produce large clusters of rosettes. Its leaves are thick, fleshy, and translucent green, with broad, truncated tips that form flat or slightly concave leaf windows. These windows feature longitudinal lines and small markings that vary from one specimen to another, creating patterns like delicate engravings on glass. The leaves end in an elongated, curved tip, a characteristic that helps distinguish this form from other selections of Haworthia retusa. Under intense light, bronze, reddish, or purplish hues may appear. Although individual rosettes can reach several centimeters in diameter, its most striking feature is its production of offsets, which over time forms a compact clump of translucent leaves.

🌍 Origin, habitat, and family
The name 'Geraldii' was originally described from plants in the area around Riversdale, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. In this region, Haworthia retusa grows on low hills and rocky terrain, often partially sheltered among rocks and low-growing vegetation. Shallow soils and the shelter provided by stones reduce direct exposure and help retain moisture around the roots.

The area has a variable rainfall pattern, with rain at different times of year and significant precipitation during the cooler months. Mild periods encourage root activity, while intense heat and summer drought can slow growth. In cultivation, it usually behaves as a Haworthia with a summer dormancy, so it is recommended to reduce watering during heat waves and resume it when temperatures allow for more stable vegetative growth. Like other species in the group, it may lose old roots and produce new ones as environmental conditions change.

Family Asphodelaceae, tribe Alooideae, genus Haworthia.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10a
It tolerates minimum temperatures close to −1 °C for brief periods, provided the substrate is dry and the plant is protected from prolonged frost. Cold combined with persistent moisture can damage the roots and the base of the leaves.

☀️ Lighting
Bright, filtered light. Partial shade. Adequate light promotes a compact form and highlights the transparency of the leaf windows. A PAR DLI of 8–15 mol/m²/day is recommended, with gradual acclimation. Intense direct sunlight can cause sunburn and loss of turgor, although slightly brighter light can intensify the bronze tones. A bright spot protected from the midday summer sun helps preserve the color and texture of the leaves.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Summer dormancy. During periods of extreme heat, it is recommended to reduce watering considerably and allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. During this phase, it may lose some of its old roots and replace them when temperatures drop and conditions become favorable again. During active growth, water thoroughly and allow the substrate to dry before watering again. It is better to monitor leaf turgor and root activity than to follow a rigid schedule.

🌸 Flowering
It produces an elongated inflorescence with small tubular flowers that are white with greenish or brownish lines. Flowering usually occurs during favorable growing periods. Although the flowers are subtle, the plant can produce numerous inflorescences when mature. Its main ornamental appeal lies in its translucent rosettes and the formation of dense clusters.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, we recommend Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co., which is high in potassium and bioavailable calcium. Apply with watering, reducing or suspending fertilization during summer dormancy.

9x9 cm pot

This is a truly unique xerophyte, grown in Madrid in a technological square pot, with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.

* Since this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen shipped may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's dimensions, but these may also vary slightly because it's a living thing! Each plant at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.