Asphodelaceae
Horse's Teeth (Haworthia truncata): How to Grow and Care for It
Haworthia truncata
Slow, compact succulent for a bright windowsill. Water only when the mix is completely dry, use a gritty substrate and keep it above freezing. Overwatering is the most common way to lose it.
Every 14 days
Bright indirect
5° - 30°C
% - %
Categories
What is Horse's Teeth?
Horse's Teeth (Haworthia truncata) is a medium-care plant from the Asphodelaceae family. Haworthia truncata is a small succulent from the Little Karoo in South Africa's Western Cape. Its thick grey-green leaves grow in two opposite rows and end abruptly, as if cut off with a knife, which gives the plant its name. Each flat tip is a translucent 'window' that lets light into the leaf; in...
Horse's Teeth grows up to 3cm, spread of 10cm, watering every 14 days, 5°C – 30°C. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many popular species, Horse's Teeth is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 28 days.
How to Care for Horse's Teeth?
TLDR: Horse's Teeth needs Bright indirect, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 5-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Horse's Teeth?
In spring and autumn, water thoroughly every 2 weeks or so, once the mix has dried out completely. In summer heat and in winter, water less, about once a month. Let excess water drain away.
How Much Light Does Horse's Teeth Need?
Give bright light with some gentle direct sun, such as morning or late-afternoon sun. Harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves; in deep shade the plant loses its compact shape.
What Is the Best Soil for Horse's Teeth?
Very gritty, fast-draining mix: cactus soil with plenty of pumice, perlite or coarse sand. It has thick roots, so a slightly deeper pot works well.
What Pot Should You Use for Horse's Teeth?
Small terracotta pot with a drainage hole, slightly deeper than wide for the thick roots.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Horse's Teeth and Where Does It Come From?
Haworthia truncata is a small succulent from the Little Karoo in South Africa's Western Cape. Its thick grey-green leaves grow in two opposite rows and end abruptly, as if cut off with a knife, which gives the plant its name. Each flat tip is a translucent 'window' that lets light into the leaf; in the wild the plant sits half-buried and only the windows show. The rosette stays about 2-3 cm tall and up to 10 cm wide. In late spring and summer it sends up thin spikes 20-30 cm tall with small white tubular flowers. The variety maughanii has rounder leaves arranged in a spiral.
How to Propagate Horse's Teeth?
Offsets
Offsets with their own roots establish fastest. Keep them out of strong sun until new growth appears.
- 1 Wait until the offset is about a third the size of the mother plant and has some roots
- 2 Separate it with a clean knife
- 3 Let the cut dry for 1-2 days
- 4 Plant in dry gritty mix and water lightly after a week
Materials needed:
Leaf cuttings
The leaf must come away with its base intact or it will not root. Expect slow growth.
- 1 Twist off a healthy leaf cleanly from the base
- 2 Let it callus for a few days
- 3 Lay or insert the base on barely moist gritty mix
- 4 Keep in bright indirect light and mist the surface lightly until roots form
Materials needed:
How Big Does Horse's Teeth Grow?
TLDR: Horse's Teeth can reach up to 3cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
3cm
Spread
10cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Horse's Teeth?
TLDR: Horse's Teeth is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
The flat, see-through leaf tips work like windows that let sunlight reach the inside of the leaf.
In the wild it grows half-buried in the soil, with only the leaf tips showing.
It holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Haworthia truncata?
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
Can it take direct sun?
Why are the leaves going soft and translucent at the base?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
