All you wanted to know about Haworthias, Gasterias and Astrolobas: Haworthia semiviva

Haworthia semiviva, SE of Middlepos

Haworthia semiviva (V.Poelln.) M.B.Bayer
semiviva: half alive

H. semiviva is smaller, stemless plant, with rosette around 5-6 cm in diameter. It remains usually solitary. Leaves are thin, incurved, translucent and necrotic at tips, which is very characteristic for this species. In nature the rosette is surrounded by layer of dead leaves and sometimes, specially in dry period, is difficult to guess if plant is still alive.

Distribution map

H. semiviva occurs in Great Karoo in area between Frazerburg, Sutherland, Beaufort West and up to Victoia West. It grows under protection of small shrubs or amongst stones. In several places it co-occurs with H. tessellata. Relationship could be with H. bolusii from Graaff-Reinet area and possibly with H. blackbeardina from Three Sisters and H. decipiens var. cyanea from Merweville area. Ingo Breuer and M. Hayashi had described few new species like H. victoria (from Victoria West) or H. speroidea (between Sutherland and Middelpos), for me they all fit well under semiviva.

H. semiviva is not easy plant in cultivation. It is slow and needs careful watering. Propagation should be done by seed.

Synonym:
H. blackbeardiana var. semiviva