7 Facts about Clear Succulent Plants That Will Blow Your Mind

The clear succulent or the Haworthia cooperi is a rare type of well, succulent which has transparent leaves. It is a very beautiful and intriguing visual that grows in clusters which makes it prettier to the eye. Here are seven facts that you probably did not know these clear succulent plants.

Are Clear Succulent Plants Real?

Indeed, they are. The plants are see-through and are originally from South Africa. Along with being clear, the leaves are also soft and fleshy. Thankfully, the plant itself is easy to maintain like most succulents.

#1 Appearance

These plants grow very slowly but when they do, they appear in clumps in the shape of little rosettes. The leaves are light green in color and because of the transparency factor, they look quite exotic.

In the flowering season, which is in summer and spring, these plants produce flowers that are white in color and they appear on the main stalk of the plant and grow up to 12 inches. The stems of the plant are also transparent.

#2 Size

The plant itself is small and grows to be about 2 inches in height. It has a short stem that can produce leaves in different colors or streaks. And because it is so small, the leaves often almost fall back to the soil.

#3 Ease of Care

As mentioned earlier, it is quite easy to take care of clear succulents, because it is much like growing an aloe plant. And like other succulents, you mainly need to avoid overwatering.

That means the plant should definitely not sit in water for extended periods of time because this can cause root rot. If it’s in a container, make sure the pot also has a good drainage system. You might want to consider adding a layer of gravel at the bottom if required.

Light

Clear succulents need bright sunlight but not direct or full sun. In their natural habitat, these plants are usually found in partial shade. Like under a rock or a tree.

This means, if you are growing it indoors, you must find a nice east- or west-facing window for this plant so that it gets 3-4 hours of bright light every day. Exposing them to the morning sun brings the best results.

If it gets too much sun, you will know because the leaves turn white or yellow. But if the green starts to fade, it means the plant is not getting enough sun.

Watering

In the summer, you can give it enough water such that the soil isn’t dry for too long. But make sure the water is even and never stagnant.

In the winter, you want to water this plant only about once a month while ensuring that the rosette is never surrounded by water.

Soil

If you are growing this plant in a pot, get some quick-draining soil mix that is meant for potted succulents. And make sure the pot is well-drained too. Don’t add sand to the potting mix because this will clog the pores and reduce water drainage which can kill the plant. Add some perlite, aquarium gravel or pumice to the soil.

If you want to move the plant from a pot to the ground outdoors, you must do this during the summer. But do it in installments so that the plant doesn’t experience sunburn.

Fertilizing

This plant can do with a little fertilizer help in the summer when it is growing. Winters are most definitely a no-no because that’s when the plant is dormant.

Hardiness

The ideal temperature for the growth of clear succulents is warm summers when it is about 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. But not more or less than that because it is susceptible to freezing injuries.

The hardiness zone for clear succulents is 9 to 11.

#4 Means of Propagation

Clear succulents can be propagated through offsets, also called pups, that form at the base of the plant. Get a pot with holes and a potting mix for succulents. Take the parent plant out of the pot and remove the pups gently.

Make sure the pups are left out to dry till the calluses are formed. This takes about 24 hours or so. Then, plant them in your soil mix and leave it that way for a week. Remember not to water the pot during this time.

Once you see roots and leaves growing, you can start watering the pot once a week. This is if the plant is outdoors (when it should be in partial shade). Otherwise, watering it once every two weeks is good enough (when it should be in bright light).

#5 Toxicity

Haworthia cooperi plants are non-toxic to people and pets. They are also normally considered to be pest-free.

#6 Other Names

These plants are also known as Cooper’s Haworthia, Bristle Haworthia, Window Haworthia or Pussy Foot.

Read also:
14 Haworthia Types, Care and Propagation

#7 Varieties

There are quite a few species of Haworthia cooperi but here are the best varieties.

H. Cooperi Picturata

This one is a grower and comes in large clusters of rounded yellow-green leaves that have translucent tips.

H. Cooperi Truncata

Another cluster formation, this clear succulent, has rosettes that are round and look like grapes. The leaves are blue-green in color and windowed.

H. Cooperi Venusta

This is often said to be the prettiest of them all. It also has blue-green leaves that are windowed but they are covered in soft bristles and white fuzz.