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Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley

Zebra haworthia

Native records: 1 botanical areas

Cape Provinces

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Natural distribution

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NativeIntroducedUncertain

Distribution is shown as WGSRPD Level 3 areas. It does not imply the species occurs throughout an entire area.

Last updated:

Distribution last verified:

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Photograph of Haworthiopsis attenuata

A small succulent plant species from the Asphodelaceae family, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Its dark green fleshy leaves are marked with distinctive white horizontal stripes (tubercles), giving rise to the 'zebra' common name. Widely cultivated as a houseplant.

Description

A stemless small succulent that forms a basal rosette of dark green fleshy leaves radiating from the base. Leaves are attenuate, about 10–15 cm long, with white tubercles arranged in transverse bands creating a striped pattern reminiscent of a zebra. Growth is slow and plants can live for several decades. Produces an inflorescence with small white flowers. Tough and shade-tolerant, it is one of the most widely produced succulents globally, found on windowsills from Tokyo to Toronto.

Habitat

Native to the subtropical biome of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Grows in acidic sandy soils, preferring semi-shaded conditions. In its native habitat it grows beneath larger vegetation.

Distribution areas

  • Andorra

    • SpainIntroduced

  • Gibraltar

    • SpainIntroduced

  • Mexico

    • Mexico CentralIntroduced
    • Mexico SouthwestIntroduced

  • South Africa

    • Cape ProvincesNative

  • Spain

    • SpainIntroduced

Climate of the native range

The Köppen climate classes found in the areas this plant is recorded as native to. It does not mean an entire area has that climate.

  • BWh Arid, desert, hot
  • BSk Arid, steppe, cold
  • BWk Arid, desert, cold
  • Cfb Temperate, no dry season, warm summer

The same climate occurs in 65 areas worldwide, 64 of which have no record of this plant. See them on the map

A matching climate does not mean the plant can grow there. Range limits are also set by things other than climate — dispersal history, soils, competition. Source: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0 (observed period 1991–2020).

Other names

Zebra haworthia、Zebra plant

Family
Asphodelaceae
Genus
Haworthiopsis

Other species in Haworthiopsis

Sources

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Andorra · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Spain · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Gibraltar · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Mexico · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    South Africa · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

Image information