Many species have firm, tough, fleshy leaves, usually dark green in colour, whereas others are softer and contain leaf windows with translucent panels through which sunlight can reach internal photosynthetic tissues.

Because of their horticultural interest, its taxonomy has been dominated by amateur collectors, and the literature is rife with misunderstanding of what the taxa actually are or should be.

[citation needed] In recognition of the polyphyletic nature of the genus, Haworthiopsis and Tulista have ben split off.

The roots, leaves and rosettes do demonstrate some generic differences while wide variations occur even within one species.

[7] The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families has been updated to exclude the species now in Haworthiopsis and Tulista.

[9] There is widespread special collector interest, and some species such as Haworthia cymbiformis are fairly common house and garden plants.

All Haworthia species favour extremely well-drained soil (in habitat they tend to grow in poor sands, in rocky areas).

Certain species or clones may be more successful or rapid in offset production, and these pups are easily removed to yield new plants once a substantial root system has developed on the offshoot.