How To Root Haworthia Pups With No Roots

Haworthia pups are generally easy to root through different methods.

But it can be challenging if the pups don't have any roots. Many times these pups lose their roots due to overwatering.

In such cases, you'll have to be extra careful while trying to root them in a new environment.

So, how do you plant a haworthia pup with no roots at all? Let's learn more about it in the following guide.

Why Do My Haworthia Pups Have No Roots?

If your haworthia pups have no roots, it's most likely because of overwatering. This plant is native to South Africa and grows in dry, rocky habitats. When grown in captivity, you need to mimic these conditions as closely as possible. This means allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

If the soil stays too wet for too long, the roots will start to rot.

I have seen this happening with many of my succulents and other indoor plants. So, overwatering is a major problem that can cause young plant to lose their roots.

Can You Root Haworthia Pups With No Roots?

It depends on the condition of your pups. If the plants are completely rootless, getting them to take root in a new environment will be difficult.

You will need to assess the condition of your pups before deciding whether or not to try and root them.

Also, it's important to have the stem of the plant intact. If the stem is damaged, you can't root the plant. Even if you try to root them, the pups will eventually rot in the soil.

Here are some of the factors you need to consider during the inspection -

1. Check If The Pups Are Green And Plump
2. Inspect The Stems For Any Damage
3. No Fungal Growth On The Pups or Stems
4. No Signs Of Rotting

These four key factors will help you determine if your pups are still viable and have a good chance of taking root. I follow these inspection points thoroughly whenever I'm trying to propagate any succulent or cactus, and it never fails me!

So, do keep them in mind.

Also Read: Why Isn't My Aloe Producing Pups?

How To Root Haworthia Pups With No Roots

Once you're done with the above inspection process, you can use the following methods to root your pups.

Note: I like rooting such pups in the soil, as it gives the best results. But if you're not confident about it, you can also use other methods like propagating in water.

Here are the steps to follow -

1. Clean the haworthia pup with fresh water to remove any dust or debris that might be present on the surface.
2. Get a new pot and fill it with a well-draining soil mix. I usually prefer a succulent soil mix for rooting purposes.
3. Carefully place the pup in the soil and press down gently so that it's completely buried. Do not leave the stem exposed out of the soil.
4. Water the soil lightly and place the pot in a bright, sunny location. Do not water it from the top, though. You don't want to keep the plant wet for too long, especially when it doesn't have any roots.
5. Keep an eye on the soil and water it only when required. Succulents do not require a lot of water. So, water them only when the soil has completely dried out.

These are the general steps you need to follow for rooting these pups with no roots.

If you followed the above steps properly, the pups would begin to form new roots within a few weeks and start showing new growth. As I mentioned, this method works best when the pups are still in good condition.

So, the primary inspection is crucial before starting the propagation process.

It's always tricky to root a succulent with no roots, but you can definitely give it a try. The results will obviously depend on how the plant responds to the new environment.

Note - The haworthia plants can also be propagated by removing their head section, but you should only do it if the pups are relatively bigger in size.

Video Guide - 

If you have never propagated the haworthia plant, you can watch the following video to learn more insights into this process.

Expert Tips

• Trim the damaged leaves before rooting the plant. I don't recommend keeping the leaves on, as they can rot quickly and affect the pup's growth.
• Do not try to root very small pups with no roots. They have a higher chance of dying during the propagation process.
• Check the climate conditions. Make sure the temperature is not too hot or cold. It can stress out the plant and delay the rooting process. Sometimes, the plant may not even survive in extreme conditions.
• Do not spray fungicides on such pups. If these pups are already infected with some fungus, spraying fungicides will only make things worse. With no roots, the plant won't respond well to such chemicals.
• Try using a rooting hormone for better results. Most nurseries and professional gardeners use rooting hormones to speed up the process. This is completely optional, though.
• Do not remove the pups from the new pot. I know it's quite tempting to do so, but it's not a good idea. Pups need some time to adjust to the new environment and develop roots.

FAQs

Over To You

Whether it's the haworthia pups or any other succulent, rooting them without any roots is not easy.

But it's still possible if you're patient enough and follow the right steps. I hope this guide helps in making this process a little easier for you.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Do share this guide with anyone who might need it.