Lace aloe (Aristaloe aristata) vs Zebra haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata)
Side-by-side comparison: mature size, growth habit, colour, light, watering and hardiness.
Lace aloe and zebra haworthia are the two classic 'mini aloe' windowsill plants and constantly confused. The tell is the leaf texture: lace aloe has soft white teeth along smooth green leaves that blush pink in sun, while zebra haworthia has hard raised white bands across dark leaves. The lace aloe is also notably more cold-tolerant.
| Feature | Lace aloe (Aristaloe aristata) | Zebra haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata) |
|---|---|---|
| Mature size | Rosettes 8–15 cm, clumping | Rosettes 10–15 cm, clumping |
| Growth habit | Dense small rosettes with soft white-edged teeth | Stemless clumping rosettes |
| Leaf colour | Dark green speckled with white, pink flush in sun | Dark green with raised white bands |
| Light needs | Bright indirect to some direct sun | Bright indirect |
| Watering | Every 2–3 weeks | Every 2–3 weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA 8–11; hardy to about -7 °C dry | USDA 10–11; keep above 5 °C |
Lace aloe (Aristaloe aristata) profile →
Full identification, care and common problems.
Zebra haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata) profile →
Full identification, care and common problems.