Pearl plant: Low care and most attractive succulent for your window
Image Source: Karelj / CC BY (Image Cropped)
They are easy to grow succulent plants belonging to the family of aloe. The leaves are covered with white warts which make them distinctive and provide a pearl kind of look. They have very low maintenance.
Quick Details of Pearl Plant
| Other Common Names | Pearl Plant |
| Type | Indoor/outdoor flowering plant |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Flowering | Spring-summer |
| Light | Bright indirect sunlight, can sustain in partial indirect light. |
| Water | When the soil is dry. Do not over water these plants. |
| Temperature | Warm humid conditions |
| Soil | Well drained sandy soil |
| Fertilizer | Any liquid cactus fertilizer |
| Habitat | South Africa |
| Toxicity | No |
| Common Diseases | Root rot |
| Scientific name | Haworthia margaritifera |
Pearl Plant Buying Instructions
- Roots should be well developed.
- If your plant is having some offsets, it will make your plant more attractive.
- Plant should not be planted in soil. It should be planted in succulent soil less media.
- As these plant are not big in size, you should not search for bigger plant. They can grow up to a maximum of 7-8 cm only.
Overview of Pearl Plant
They are evergreen succulent plants belonging to the family Asphodeloideae native to South Africa. They belong to the family of aloe and also resemble these plants. The leaves are thick, fleshy and arranged in rosettes. They bloom during summer- spring. The flowers are white in colour. The leaves are lanceolate and dotted with clusters of pearly white warts. These plants can grow to a height of about 8cm and spread up to 15cm.
Special features:
They collect the carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis during the night. Care should be taken to provide enough ventilation for the plants during night.
Usage and Advantage of Pearl Plant
- Grown as an ornamental plant.
General Care for Pearl Plant
Soil: They prefer sandy well drained soil with a pH range between 5.6-7.5. Any cactus mix can be used. Or mix soil with peat or gravel or pumice to obtain a well-drained soil.
Water: They are resistant to drought and require very little water. The plants can be watered whenever the soil is dry during summers and spring. During winters they do not require much water. Watering can be done once in a month. Care should be taken to water only the soil. the presence of water in rosettes can lead to rot and other problems.
Light: They prefer bright indirect sunlight. The plant usually grows in shady places in its natural habitat. Direct sunlight can cause sunburns. White or yellowing of leaves is seen when the plants are exposed to too much sunlight. The colour of the leaves fade when the plants do not get enough sunlight.
Pruning: They are slow growers and do not require much pruning. The offsets can be removed whenever formed. Once the plant overgrows the pot, they can be replanted into a new pot. Re potting can be done during the growth period.
Fertilizer: The plants can be fed with any cactus fertilizer during summer and spring.
Pests and other problems for Pearl Plant
They are not prone to diseases. The plants show signs to different stresses. Excess water in soil can cause root rot. Over exposure to sunlight causes yellowing of leaves and sunburn. Insufficient sunlight can cause the colour of the leaves to fade.
Propagation of Pearl Plant
The main means of propagation is through offsets. The plants produce offsets. These can be collected and re-potted into a pot and grown as a new plant.
