Haworthias are low-maintenance succulents grown both indoors and outdoors. But what temperature range can haworthia tolerate? Let’s find out.
Haworthias will grow well when the temperature is between 77-90°F in the day and within 57-68°F at night. They can tolerate temperatures as high as 100°F, provided they are in the shades. Haworthia can also survive in temperatures as low as 30°F, provided they are not overwatered.
This article has everything you need if you want to grow Haworthias and understand their temperature tolerance.
What is the ideal temperature for Haworthia?
Haworthias are soft and tender succulents.
They can tolerate average room temperature.
That is why Haworthias are mostly grown indoors.
But, you can also grow them outdoors without any hassle in zones 9 to 11.
An average temperature within 65-78°F is an ideal range for Haworthia during the day.
These succulents will grow seamlessly at such temperatures.
At the same time, 50-60°F at night is suitable for them.
Such warm days and cool nights are mostly available during the spring and fall.
Spring and fall are the seasons when Haworthias grow vigorously.
During summer, Haworthias will grow when the temperature is between 77-90°F in the day and within 57-68°F at night.
Once the temperature crosses 90°F during the night, it will cease its growth and eventually go dormant.
This means that Haworthia will stop growing and start surviving.
When they switch on their survival mode, they don’t focus on growth.
You must take care of them in the summers, especially during the hottest days.
Haworthias are generally called winter growers because they don’t stop their growth in the winters.
Haworthia enjoys mild cool winters.
Temperatures ranging between 57-78°F during the daytime and 39-50°F at night are suitable for them.
However, they will slow down slightly, but not like the summer.
You must know that Haworthias cannot tolerate frosts.
So, if the temperature goes below 30°F, you must make sure they don’t get frostbite.
What are the effects of high temperatures on Haworthia?
Haworthia cannot tolerate any excessive temperatures as they are soft succulents.
The plant will stay well if the temperature stays between 77-80°F or 90°F in the summer.
You can water them. It will help to cool down their roots.
Sometimes, they will even tolerate 100°F during the daytime.
But, once the temperature rises above 90°F, they go through dormancy at night.
Such high temperatures can hinder the plant from collecting carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Again once the temperature goes back to normal when fall arrives, Haworthias will revive their growth mode.
Some symptoms they suffer during the hottest days are:
Leaves turning white or red.
These are mere pigments the plant produces to protect themselves from the hot temperatures.
Eventually, they will turn brown due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, indicating sunburn.
People who are unaware give them more water because it’s summer, thus resulting in overwatering and rotting.
Haworthia cymbiformis have rosette shapes like Echeverias and Sempervivums.
The plant might tighten up to protect them from the hot temperature and punishing sun.
They stop growing.
How to care for Haworthias at maximum temperatures?
It is fine for Haworthias if the temperature remains within 77-90°F in the day and 57-68°F at night during the summers.
They may or may not slow down their growth.
But they will slow down or go dormant if the temperature rises above 90°F at night.
Here are a few tips to take care of Haworthias to let them have their ideal temperature:
Don’t expose them to direct sunlight.
Generally, Haworthias grow best when they receive bright indirect sun.
If you have planted them in the garden at a sunny spot, fix on shading nets to filter the sunlight.
You must take care of this mostly during the summers.
During the hardest summer days, the heat intensity of the sun is at its peak.
Exposing Haworthias under such hard sun can burn them and even kill them.
Putting on the shade is a must during the summers.
However, you can open the shade for 2-3 hours during the early morning.
The calm sun of the morning is good for them.
Also read: How Much Light Does Haworthia Need? (Haworthia Light Requirements)
Reduce watering.
Most plants require watering in the summers due to the dry climate.
During Haworthias rarely or don’t need watering because of their dormancy period.
When a plant stays dormant, they don’t grow, utilizing very less water.
However, if the temperature has not crossed 90°F, you can water them slightly.
It helps them cool down their roots.
Always check the soil’s moisture level and water only when the soil has completely dried out.
Frequent watering will otherwise lead to overwatering and root rot.
Also read: How Often To Water Haworthia? (Haworthia Water Requirements)
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Avoid fertilizing.
Since they grow slowly or go dormant, they will not require fertilization.
They rest and won’t utilize any nutrients you provide them.
But once the summer is over, you can fertilize them a little.
Haworthias are slow growers and take a lot of time to come out of their dormant phase.
Fertilizing once in the fall will help them quickly come out of their dormancy.
Also read: How To Fertilize Haworthia? (Best Fertilizer+When To Use)
Use well-drained soil.
Using fast-draining soil can prevent overwatering if you have made the mistake of watering Haworthias frequently in the summers.
The soil will help drain excess water, let the soil dry quickly, and prevent rotting in them.
You can add materials like perlite, horticultural pumice, aquarium gravel, or poultry grit to the soil bed to improve drainage.
Also read: What Soil To Use For Haworthia? (+Ideal Soil Mix)
Plant some sun-loving plants around Haworthias.
There are plenty of sun-loving plants available, for example, tulips or daisies.
Plant them with Haworthias at such a position so that these plants can receive the direct sun and penetrate through them and reach the Haworthias.
This will protect Haworthias from the direct sun and give them filtered light, as the plant demands.
Make sure not to put them too close.
That might decrease airflow, increase humidity and result in rotting. Be careful.
Check the soil condition from time to time.
Watering the Haworthias during summers is quite tricky as they stay dormant.
Firstly, it’s dry weather, and secondly, it is their dormancy stage.
That is why many people get confused about the watering technique.
But eventually, a slight moisture level is necessary to keep the plant hydrated.
You must always check the moisture level of the soil.
If they are wet and cold, don’t water them.
You water them in the spring and fall when the top 1-2 inches get dry.
But in the summers, wait for some more inches to get dry.
Airflow
Airflow is of great importance if you take Haworthia indoors.
Indoors, the area could be clumsy and suffocating.
Make sure that the Haworthias get adequate airflow indoors.
When the wind is not blowing outside, open the windows for some time.
Let some air come inside the room where your Haworthias are placed.
It can let the soil dry quickly.
What are the effects of low temperature on Haworthia?
Haworthias are tender succulents and will need protection if the temperature drops too low.
They won’t endure the temperature when it drops below 4°C.
Instead, Haworthias will begin to grow slowly.
If you live in a region belonging to zones 9 to 11, you can grow Haworthias in the garden ground.
These zones receive cool winters, which these soft succulents can easily tolerate.
In the winters, they can endure temperatures ranging between 57-78°F in the day and 39-50°F in the night.
Some varieties would be able to endure 30-40°F.
Below 30°F, the plant will get frostbite.
Some signs of cold damage are:
The leaves will turn red due to very low temperatures.
The leaves will be damp and mushy.
The water stored inside freezes due to low temperature, and thus the cells burst inside and look wet.
How do I protect Haworthias from minimum temperatures?
You should look after the Haworthias when the temperature drops below 30°F.
Proper protection will keep them safe and let them have their ideal temperature the whole winter.
Reduce watering.
The weather gets too dry when the winter arrives due to the low evaporation rate.
Due to this, the soil will also dry out very slowly.
So, to avoid overwatering, you must reduce watering frequency compared to the growing months.
You should allow the soil to dry out completely.
Check the moisture level very often.
When the top 2-3 inches of the soil feels dry, you can soak the soil.
Use well-drained soil.
As I mentioned before, well-drained soil will drain excess water, let the roots stay dry for some time, and prevent them from rotting.
Earlier, I have already mentioned some soil ingredients.
Add them to your soil bed for good drainage. For having good drainage for Haworthias from the beginning, you can try:
- Equal parts of garden soil and coarse sand
- A mixture of gravel, soil, and garden soil
- For containers, use commercial cactus potting mix
Mulch the soil bed
Mulching the soil bed with gravel or stones can help keep the soil bed insulated.
This will help the soil warm and not allow the cold temperature to reach the root portions.
Don’t use dried barks or stems.
It may decay and lead to pest and fungus infestations.
Grow Haworthia in containers.
If your region receives temperatures lower than 30°F in the winters, you must grow Haworthia in containers.
During the winters, it will be easy to take them indoors.
It will prevent cold damage or frostbite.
For indoor Haworthias, keep them away from open windows.
Don’t put Haworthias near open windows.
The cold breeze outside can give them frostbite.
Also, make sure not to put them near any heating devices to warm them up.
It can give them temperature stress.
Generally, Haworthias can tolerate and continue growing in cool winters.
You only need to protect them from severe winters.
It will be enough for them to keep them normal.
Also read: Do Haworthia Like To Be Root Bound? (+When & How To Repot)
Don’t fertilize them.
Haworthias indeed don’t stop their growth, but they do grow slowly.
As a result, they will utilize the water you provide very slowly.
Due to slow growth, they will not absorb and use the nutrients you give them by fertilizing.
It will rather cause over-fertilization, resulting in a salt burn.
Once winter ends and spring arrives, you can fertilize them.
This will boost and encourage them to grow at their original pace.
Final thoughts
Haworthias enjoy growing during warm days and cool nights, which is felt during the spring and fall.
Care during High Temperatures | Care during Low Temperatures |
---|---|
Put up shading clothes to protect outdoor Haworthias from the scorching sun. | Use well-drained soil to avoid overwatering issues. |
Put on sheer curtains or let Haworthias stay near an east-facing window. | Keep potted Hawothias indoors to protect them from low temperatures. |
Reduce watering. | Reduce watering. |
Avoid fertilizing. | Avoid fertilizing. |
Plant some sun-loving plants such as daisies around your Haworthia. | Mulch the soil bed. |
To give your Haworthias their ideal temperature during all the seasons, follow the suggestions I explained. Following them will protect your Haworthias from experiencing problems due to extreme temperatures.
Do I need to take Haworthia indoors during the hot summer days?
Haworthia staying outdoors in the winters is quite risky due to the chilly winds.
But you don’t have to take them indoors in the hot summers.
They will stay dormant, and you just need to safeguard them from the punishing sun.
Follow the care tips which I explained earlier in the article.
You don’t necessarily need to take them indoors unless and until there is a heavy loo.
Reference: The Haworthia Society, Botanical Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sciencedirect, Researchgate, Haworthia Study.