File-Leaf Haworthia

A striking variety of the popular Haworthia, var. arcana features very dark green, almost black-green rosettes with incredibly pronounced horizontal ridges that look and feel like a metal file. The rosettes are compact and sturdy, making this a perfect architectural plant for a UK desk or windowsill. Haworthias are excellent houseplants in Britain because they tolerate lower light levels than many Echeverias or Agaves. They are rated H2 and must be kept indoors during the winter months. In the summer, small, tubular white flowers appear on long, thin, inconspicuous stalks. Like its relatives, it prefers a gritty, well-drained compost and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It is a slow-growing species that eventually produces offsets around the base, which can be easily propagated. Its texture and deep colour provide a wonderful contrast to smoother, lighter-coloured succulents in a mixed indoor display.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Gritty, well-drained compost.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.