Horse's Teeth

It is a small plant, being approximately 2 cm (0.79 in) high by 10 cm (3.9 in) wide. This species is easily recognizable by its leaves which have a nearly rectangular crosssection and are arranged in two opposite rows. The leaves are grey or grey-green and are held more or less upright. The end of a leaf – the upper surface – gives the impression of having been cut (or truncated), hence the specific epithet truncata. The leaves are covered in white or grey lines with verrucosities. In the wild, plants are often half-buried, leaving only the tips of the leaves visible above the soil. The truncated tip has a leaf window; i.e. it is translucent, allowing light to enter for photosynthesis. In this respect the species resembles Lithops, Fenestraria, and Haworthia cymbiformis. The flowers are not very showy, emerging in white, tubular clusters on a 20 cm (7.9 in) stem.

This species is increasingly common in cultivation and is very easy to propagate in large numbers. It can be grown from seed, from off-sets, from root cuttings and even from leaf-cuttings. It also readily hybridises with other Haworthia species. It requires very well-drained soil, and some exposure to sun. It is also one of the few Haworthia species that can become adapted to a full sun environment. Its natural habitat in the Little Karoo is arid, but with sparse rainfall intermittently throughout the year. In the gentle (often semi-shade) conditions in cultivation, the leaves tend to grow upwards and outside of the soil. In temperate regions, H. truncata is usually grown under glass or indoors, as it does not tolerate freezing temperatures. In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.