The Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ is an appealing succulent known for its unique appearance and simple care. Its pale, often translucent leaves and compact size make it a popular, low-maintenance houseplant.
Understanding Haworthia White Ghost
Haworthia retusa ‘White Ghost’ is a variegated cultivar recognized for its nearly all-white, stemless rosettes. These small succulents typically form dense rosettes that can reach up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) in diameter. The leaves are generally pale green with whitish markings and noticeable veins along their upper surfaces, contributing to its ghostly appearance. The leaves are often sharply triangular with spine-like tips and finely serrated margins, giving the plant a structured look.
Caring for Haworthia White Ghost
Caring for Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ involves providing conditions that mimic its natural arid habitat, focusing on proper light, watering, and soil.
Light
Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct, intense sunlight, especially harsh afternoon rays, can scorch its delicate leaves, causing them to turn white, red, or yellow. Placing the plant near an east- or west-facing window is often ideal. Insufficient light, conversely, can lead to etiolation, where the plant stretches and loses its compact form.
Watering
Proper watering is paramount for the health of Haworthia ‘White Ghost’. As a succulent, it stores water in its fleshy leaves and is susceptible to root rot if overwatered. The “soak and dry” method is recommended: water thoroughly until water drains from the pot’s bottom, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. This typically means watering every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, which is spring through early fall. During winter, when the plant enters a dormant phase, watering frequency should be significantly reduced.
Soil
A well-draining potting mix is essential for Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ to prevent waterlogging and root rot. A specialized succulent or cactus potting mix is highly recommended. These mixes typically contain components like coarse sand, pumice, or perlite to ensure rapid drainage. A gritty mix with 50% to 70% mineral grit provides the necessary aeration and prevents moisture from lingering around the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ prefers average room temperatures, generally ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). They can tolerate warmer temperatures but should be protected from frost, as cold temperatures below 30°F (-1.1°C) can cause permanent damage to their fleshy leaves. High humidity is not necessary for these succulents, as they are adapted to arid conditions.
Fertilizing
Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ is not a heavy feeder and requires minimal fertilization. During its active growing season, typically spring and summer, a diluted succulent or cactus fertilizer can be applied once or twice. Over-fertilization should be avoided, as it can lead to overly plump leaves, unnatural growth, or even root burn.
Propagating Haworthia White Ghost
Propagating Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ is most commonly achieved through offsets, also known as “pups” or “plantlets,” which the mother plant readily produces. These small plantlets form in clumps around the base of the main rosette.
To propagate using offsets, carefully separate a pup from the mother plant using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, ensuring it has some roots attached. Allow the cut end of the offset to “callus” or dry for a day or two; this helps prevent rot when planted.
After callusing, plant the offset in a small pot filled with a well-draining succulent potting mix. Water sparingly until new roots establish, then resume a regular watering schedule.
Common Problems and Solutions
Haworthia ‘White Ghost’ is generally resilient, but certain issues can arise from improper care.
Overwatering is a frequent cause of root rot, which manifests as mushy or yellowing leaves. If detected, remove the plant from its wet soil, inspect and trim any rotted roots, and repot into fresh, dry, well-draining soil.
Conversely, underwatering can cause leaves to shrivel, wrinkle, or become soft. If the soil is bone-dry and leaves are shriveling, a thorough watering should rehydrate the plant. Adjusting the watering schedule to be slightly more frequent, especially during warmer periods, can prevent recurrence.
Scorched leaves, appearing as white, red, or yellow discoloration, result from too much direct sunlight. Moving the plant to a location with bright, indirect light will protect it from harsh rays.
Etiolation, characterized by stretched, leggy growth and fading color, indicates insufficient light. To correct this, gradually move the plant to a brighter spot. The stretched growth will not revert, but new growth will be more compact.