Drimia haworthioides: Curious Succulent Bulb for Collectors

Unusual and intriguing, Drimia haworthioides is a small, deciduous bulbous succulent native to southern Africa. Its distinctive foliage—tight rosettes of fleshy, triangular leaves with translucent "windowed" tips—resembles its namesake genus Haworthia, making it a conversation piece for succulent enthusiasts and bulb collectors alike.

Botanical Profile

Family:	Hyacinthaceae
Genus:	Drimia (DRY-mee-a)
Species:	haworthioides (hay-worth-ee-OY-deez)

Growth Habit & Flowering

This winter-growing, summer-dormant species produces its curious leaves in autumn, which persist through winter and spring before dying back in summer. In late spring to early summer, a slender raceme bears small, greenish-white starry flowers—modest but charming. The bulb itself is partially exposed, covered in papery tunics.

Cultivation for Success

• Gritty, extremely well-drained mix (50% pumice/perlite, 50% loam-based compost)
• Bright light with some direct sun; protect from intense afternoon heat
• Water regularly during active growth (autumn–spring); keep dry in summer dormancy
• Cool winter temperatures (40–55°F) encourage best growth and flowering
• Repot infrequently; bulbs resent disturbance
• Propagate by seed or offsets; slow to multiply

Why Grow It?

For the collector who appreciates botanical oddities, Drimia haworthioides offers year-round interest: architectural foliage in winter, delicate blooms in spring, and a fascinating survival strategy in its summer retreat underground. A jewel for the alpine house, cool greenhouse, or sunny windowsill.