How to Care for a Zebra Succulent

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Haworthia fasciata, more commonly known as zebra plant, is a great succulent for beginners because it’s so easy to take care of! Recognize zebra succulents by their signature white stripes running horizontally across the outside surfaces of their aloe-like leaves. These fun plants have a lot of character and look great on a window sill, a bookshelf, or a desk.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Environment

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    Clay pots are ideal for succulents because they cause the soil to dry faster. Make sure the pot has multiple drainage holes in the bottom, so that it drains easily when you water it. [1]
    • It’s okay to keep succulents in pots made from other materials, such as ceramics or plastics, but just be aware that the soil stays wet for longer in these types of pots.
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    Succulent potting mixes drain very well to simulate the desert-like soils that succulents typically grow in in the wild. This gives the roots plenty of air and prevents them from getting oversaturated and rotting. [2]
    • Succulent potting mix is the same thing as cactus potting mix.
    • If you want to make your own succulent potting mix, combine equal parts potting soil, sand, and perlite.
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    Choose a location where the succulent will get partial sun, ideally early in the day. Make sure the area is shaded in the afternoon, especially late in the afternoon when the sun is hottest. [3]
    • For example, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, on a window sill in front of a south-facing window is an ideal spot.
    • As long as your zebra plant gets enough sunlight, it can possibly bloom in the late summer to early autumn. Keep in mind that this doesn’t always happen, so don’t get concerned if your succulent never flowers.
    • If you keep your zebra plant in full sun, it could get sunburned. [4]
    • Artificial light is ok to use, if your room lacks windows, just turn on the lights!
    • If your zebra plant starts to develop many dried-out-looking, brown tips, it might be getting too much sun. Try moving it to a more shaded location to remedy this problem.
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    Zebra plants do great indoors year-round at regular room temperatures. Only keep them outside if/when the outdoor temperatures are in this range. [5]
    • If you live in a regular 4-season climate, it’s okay to move your succulent outdoors during summer months and bring it back indoors when the temperatures start to drop.
    • There are no special humidity needs for zebra plants.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Watering and Feeding

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    Wait until the soil dries out and the leaves start to curl. From spring to summer, this normally happens about once every 2-3 weeks, depending on how hot it is where you live. [6]
    • The soil is dry if you stick your finger in about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep and don’t feel any moisture.
    • If you have the plant in a really big pot, you can water it every 3-4 weeks, instead. [7]
    • If it gets really hot and dry during the summer where you live, check the soil weekly and water the plant every 7-10 days if the soil is drying out quickly.
    • If you notice yellowy, mushy-looking leaves on your zebra plant, you might be overwatering it. Try watering it less to see if this fixes the problem.
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    The soil doesn’t dry out quickly and the plant goes dormant in the winter. Don’t water your succulent any more than once every other month until spring comes. [8]
    • If the soil still shows signs of moisture, wait until it dries out completely to water your succulent. Always err on the side of under-watering your succulents, rather than over-watering them. [9]
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    Slowly pour water into the soil around the succulent. Move your hand in a circular motion around the container as you pour to saturate all the soil. Stop watering when you see water coming out through the holes in the bottom of the container. [10]
    • Deep, infrequent watering is the key to encouraging healthy succulent growth. It nourishes and hydrates the roots and makes the leaves look nice and plump.
    • Avoid pouring water directly on the succulent because this can cause the leaves to go mushy.
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    Dilute a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer, to half strength by mixing 1 part fertilizer with 1 part water. Pour the fertilizer into the soil to feed the plant. [11]
    • Zebra plants don’t feed heavily, so there’s no need to fertilize them outside of the spring and early summer growing season.
    • A 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10 % nitrogen, 10 % phosphate, and 10 % potash.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Maintenance

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    Look for totally dried-out, brownish leaves from time to time. Cut them off as close to the base of the plant as possible to remove them and keep your zebra plant looking nice. [12]
    • Note that this is mostly for aesthetic purposes and doesn’t affect the growth or health of your succulent at all. However, If the leaf is infected, it may stop the disease from spreading.
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    Choose a pot that’s just 1-2 sizes bigger than the original container. Fill the bottom of the pot with some succulent potting mix and carefully lift the zebra plant out of its old pot and set it on top of the soil in the new pot. Fill the sides of the pot in with more potting mix. [13]
    • Make sure any new pot you use has multiple holes in the bottom, so the soil drains when you water it.
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    Examine your zebra plant regularly, like when you’re watering it, for a cottony wool-like substance on the leaves. Look for tiny moving bugs as well, which can either be mealybugs or spider mites. Wash the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap if you ever see any pests on them and rinse the oil or soap off thoroughly with clean water. [14]
    • Neem oil is a natural pesticide extracted from the neem tree.
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    Look for new baby zebra plants growing beside the main plant during the growing season from spring to summer. Break the pup off, trying to keep some of the roots attached to it, and plant it in its own container. [15]
    • Note that this is totally optional and is just a fun way to grow your succulent collection! Leaving the pups growing beside the original succulent won’t hurt it at all.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How often should I water a succulent?
    Chai Saechao
    Plant Specialist
    Chai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn.
    Chai Saechao
    Plant Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Depending on the pot size, you should water them every 2 weeks. If they're in bigger pots, water them every 3 weeks to a month. I always recommend underwatering succulents, instead of overwatering them. Overwatering is the number one reason that succulents die. If they're underwatered, you can usually just water them and they'll bounce back really quickly.
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      Tips

      • Zebra plants can tolerate being neglected. Don’t worry if you forget to water yours sometimes or if it spends a day or two in the shade because you’re gone and your blinds are closed.
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      • For colorful results, give it more sun. However, too much sun will burn the leaves so avoid direct light, if you see the leaves starting to pale, and the stem is red, give it less sun
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      • Zebra plants like to be underpotted, give it no bigger than a inch of room sideways
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      Warnings

      • Overwatering is the fastest way to kill your zebra plant. To avoid this, never water the succulent when the soil is still moist.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Clay pot with drainage holes
      • Succulent potting mix
      • Liquid fertilizer
      • Water
      • Garden clippers or scissors (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://leafyplace.com/haworthia-fasciata-zebra-plant/
      2. ↑ https://worldofsucculents.com/grow-care-zebra-plant/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RB8ESZ0vRE&feature=youtu.be&t=70
      4. ↑ Chai Saechao. Plant Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 February 2019.
      5. ↑ https://worldofsucculents.com/grow-care-zebra-plant/
      6. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-grow-and-care-for-haworthia-plants-36638507
      7. ↑ Chai Saechao. Plant Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 February 2019.
      8. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-grow-and-care-for-haworthia-plants-36638507
      9. ↑ Chai Saechao. Plant Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 February 2019.
      1. ↑ https://leafyplace.com/haworthia-fasciata-zebra-plant/
      2. ↑ https://leafyplace.com/haworthia-fasciata-zebra-plant/
      3. ↑ https://leafyplace.com/haworthia-fasciata-zebra-plant/
      4. ↑ https://worldofsucculents.com/grow-care-zebra-plant/
      5. ↑ https://leafyplace.com/haworthia-fasciata-zebra-plant/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RB8ESZ0vRE&feature=youtu.be&t=165

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