Haworthia viscosa, Aloe viscosa. C09

It is known by the scientific name Aloe viscosa.

It is a small perennial succulent plant that only grows to 15 cm in height but produces lateral suckers. The fleshy leaves are triangular, arranged in elongated rosettes and can be dark green, olive green or somewhat brown.

The flowers it produces are small, white and appear in inflorescences up to 30 cm long but are not interesting from a decorative point of view.

It is used as a houseplant, greenhouse and terrace plant in pots that are wider than deep. Good ventilation is important so that there is no build-up of humidity in the air.

This plant needs a filtered light or semi-shade exposure, direct sunlight can burn the leaves. They withstand the heat of the Mediterranean summer well, but in winter they should rest at a temperature of about 10ºC.

The soil in which they are planted can be a mixture of soil for indoor plants with 40% coarse sand or a commercial substrate for cacti. They are not usually transplanted a lot as they grow slowly.

In the spring and summer seasons they should be watered deeply but always waiting until the soil has dried out completely. From mid-autumn to early spring they should be watered every 2 months.

It is advisable to fertilise them with mineral fertiliser for cacti in mid-spring and mid-summer.

They do not need pruning but withered flower stems can be removed after flowering.

Beware of over-watering, which quickly rots them.

The easiest propagation is from the young shoots it produces, allowing them to dry out for a couple of days before rooting them in a slightly damp sandy substrate.