Pearl Plant Haworthia pumila

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Not blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
pearl plant

ABOUT

Haworthia pumila, often referred to as the Pearl Plant, is a succulent characterized by its rosette formation of thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are a deep green, overlaid with prominent, pearly white tubercles that give the plant a bejeweled appearance, much like a scattering of pearls, hence the common name. These tubercles are raised and dotted regularly across the leaf surface. The leaves are typically pointed, resembling a triangular shape and have a slightly rough texture. The Pearl Plant maintains a compact form, with the rosette growing in a dense cluster. While in bloom, which generally occurs in the warmer seasons, the Pearl Plant produces small, tubular flowers that extend from the rosette on a slender stalk. The flowers are often white to pale pink and present a delicate contrast to the robust, gritty texture of the leaves.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Asphodelaceae.

    • Synonyms

      Pearl Plant, Donkey Ears, Royal Albert, Wine Cup.

    • Common names

      Aloe pumila, Apicra pumila, Catevala pumila, Haworthia margaritifera, Haworthia maxima, Haworthia pumila var. margaritifera, Tulista pumila.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Evergreen

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      White

    • Height

      0.5 feet [15 cm]

    • Spread

      0.5 feet [15 cm]

    • Plant type

      Succulent

    • Hardiness zones

      10

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Easy Care: Haworthia pumila, commonly known as the Tulista or Donkey Ears, is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal watering and care, making it ideal for beginners or those with busy lifestyles.
    • Drought-Tolerant: This succulent is highly adapted to dry conditions and can survive prolonged periods without water, conserving resources and reducing the need for frequent watering.
    • Decorative Appeal: With its distinctive rosette shape and textured leaves, Tulista adds an aesthetic touch to any indoor space or succulent garden, enhancing the visual interest of the environment.
    • Compact Size: The relatively small size of the plant makes it suitable for small spaces like apartments and offices, where room for plants is limited but the desire for greenery exists.
    • Propagation: Haworthia pumila is easy to propagate from offsets, allowing plant enthusiasts to expand their collection or share with friends without the need for purchasing new plants.
    • Long-Lived: As a slow-growing succulent, Tulista has a long lifespan and can become a long-term companion with proper care, providing continuity and a sense of permanence in one's living space.
    • Non-Toxic: This plant is non-toxic to pets and humans, making it a safe addition to homes with animals or children, where accidental ingestion might occur.
    • Versatile Display: Its size and shape make Tulista suitable for various types of containers and arrangements, such as terrariums, miniature gardens, or as a standalone plant, offering versatility in display options.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Education and Research: Haworthia pumila, commonly known as the "Tulista pumila," is used by educational institutions and botanical gardens for teaching plant morphology and adaptation strategies, as its succulent leaves and growth pattern provide a clear example of xerophytic adaptations.
    • Photography: The distinct rosette shape and textured leaves of the Tulista pumila make it a popular subject for plant photographers and enthusiasts who document the diversity of succulent plants.
    • Art and Craft: Enthusiasts of the Tulista pumila often use fallen or pruned leaves to create botanical art pieces or incorporate them into mixed media projects due to their interesting shapes and textures.
    • Psychological Benefits: Growing Tulista pumila as a houseplant can contribute to mental well-being by providing a sense of accomplishment in successfully caring for a living organism and enhancing the aesthetics of a living space.
    • Theme Gardens: This plant is commonly used to create miniature landscapes or fairy gardens, serving as a 'miniature tree' due to its rosette form and sturdy appearance.
    • Space Planning and Decoration: Tulista pumila is often used in interior design for terrariums or as a centerpiece in succulent arrangements, adding sculptural quality and greenery to living and workspace areas.
    • Culinary Presentation: While the plant is not edible, its striking appearance can be used as a non-toxic decoration for plating high-end culinary dishes, enhancing the overall presentation.
    • Gift-giving: Due to its low-maintenance nature and unique appearance, Tulista pumila plants are frequently used as gifts, particularly among those who appreciate horticulture.
    • Feng Shui: Some practitioners of Feng Shui use the Tulista pumila to enhance the energy of a space, as its upward-growing leaves are thought to attract positive energy, promoting balance and tranquility.
    • Stop-motion Animation: The slow-growing nature of Tulista pumila allows artists to use it in stop-motion animation films, creating a dynamic visual effect as the plant grows over time when frames are captured over extended periods.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Haworthia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Haworthia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Resilience: Haworthia pumila is known for its hardy nature, often growing in harsh, rocky environments. It symbolizes the ability to thrive in difficult conditions.
    • Protection: Its fleshy leaves are tough and protective, symbolizing safety and guardianship.
    • Beauty in Simplicity: With its compact form and unpretentious appearance, Haworthia pumila represents an appreciation for simplicity and understatement.
    • Longevity: This plant can live for many years with proper care, symbolizing long life and perseverance.

💧
Every 2-3 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
4%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring to summer
Propogation
✂️️
Not needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    For the Haworthia pumila, commonly known as the 'Tulista pumila' or 'Donkey Ears,' it is crucial to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Water when the top one inch of soil feels dry, which typically occurs every two to three weeks, depending on the humidity and temperature of your growing environment. During the active growing season in spring and summer, the Haworthia pumila may require more frequent watering, possibly once weekly. Utilize approximately 2-4 ounces of water for smaller pots, ensuring even soil moisture without waterlogging. In the dormant season, fall and winter, reduce the watering frequency to around once a month or less, allowing the soil to dry out more between watering sessions.

  • sunLight

    The Haworthia 'Tulista pumila' thrives best under bright, indirect light conditions. Placing it in an east-facing or north-facing window where it can enjoy plenty of light without the harsh rays of the sun is ideal. Direct sunlight, especially during the peak hours of the afternoon, should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves of the plant.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Tulista pumila is comfortable in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimal temperatures of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but exposure to temperatures below this can lead to cold damage. The ideal daytime temperature is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while at night, a slight drop to approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit is beneficial for the plant.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning of the Tulista pumila is minimal and generally only necessary to remove any dead or dying leaves to maintain the plant's appearance and health. This is best done in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. It seldom needs extensive pruning, and you can simply cut away any unsightly or dead material using clean, sharp scissors.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    For Haworthia pumila, commonly known as Lace Aloe, the best soil mix is one that ensures good drainage, consisting of a cactus or succulent potting mix combined with perlite or pumice in a 2:1 ratio. This plant thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.

  • plantRepotting

    Lace Aloe should be repotted every two to three years or when it outgrows its pot. It's important to use a well-draining soil mix and to handle the roots carefully during the repotting process.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Lace Aloe prefers average indoor humidity levels, typically between 40% to 60%. It is quite tolerant of dry air, but extremely high humidity should be avoided as it can promote rot.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place Lace Aloe in bright, indirect light indoors for best growth.

    • Outdoor

      Grow Lace Aloe in dappled sunlight outdoors for optimum health.

    • Hardiness zone

      9-11 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Haworthia pumila, commonly known as Pearl Plant, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in well-draining soil with minimal moisture. Germination leads to the growth of a succulent seedling with fleshy, translucent leaves arranged in a rosette. As the plant matures, its rosette of leaves becomes more pronounced and may develop a bluish-green color with white tubercles, giving it a pearled appearance. The Pearl Plant reaches maturity and may produce a flower stalk with small white flowers, typically blooming in the late spring or early summer. After flowering, if pollination occurs, the plant may produce seed pods containing seeds for the next generation. As a slow-growing perennial, the Pearl Plant can live for many years, expanding through offsets that form around the base of the mature rosette.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring to summer

    • The Haworthia pumila, commonly known as the Star Cactus, can be propagated most effectively through offsets, also known as "pups." These are the small rosettes that form at the base of the parent plant, and the best time to propagate them is in the spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most active. To propagate, carefully remove the offset with a clean, sharp knife, ensuring it has some roots attached. Allow the offset to dry for a day or two to form a callus over the cut surface. This prevents rot when it is re-planted. Place the offset in a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix, then water sparingly until it becomes established and begins to show new growth, usually within a few weeks. This method maintains the characteristics of the parent plant and is a simple and efficient way to increase your collection of Star Cactuses.