Haworthia Plastic Skin Variegated

Name and Characters: Plastic塑料 Skin皮 Jade玉 Dew露(Cooperi) Variegated锦

Plastic Skin is a fairly common variegated cooperi and is typically more affordable than other varieties. It stays relatively small, which means it reaches maturity faster as well. Compared to other cooperi, it has very small leaf windows that are heavily covered by veins. The tops of the leaves are coated with a thick, waxy outer layer instead of the usual translucent window, giving the plant a reflective, plastic-like appearance.

Whether the reduced window is a pro or con depends on your preference. With less transparency, the leaves tend to show stronger coloration, but you lose some of the dewy, juicy, glassy look that many cooperi are known for. The variegation usually appears in white, yellow, or pink tones and does not develop orange or red hues, even under stress. There is also a non-variegated version of Plastic Skin, though I don’t own one.

Because it is reasonably priced and matures quickly, Plastic Skin makes a great starter variegated cooperi for collectors who are new to variegated haworthias.