How to Grow, Care and Propagate Gasteria Plants
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Gasteria Plants flourish in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Gasteria Plants are recognizable from their thick, hard, succulent "tongue-shaped" leaves and hence their common names Ox-tongue, Cow-tongue, Lawyer's Tongue and occasionally Mother-in-law's Tongue.
Gasteria's leaves are arranged in two rows forming a fan-like shape and as it gets older an untidy rosette is formed. Usually, young Gasteria succulents have flat strap-shaped leaves in an alternate (spiral) pattern, with each leaf arising at a different point (node) on the stem.
Gasteria carinata
Botanical name: Gasteria
Family: Asphodelaceae
Sufamily: Asphodeloideae
Common names: Ox-tongue, Cow-tongue, Lawyer's Tongue, Mother-in-law's Tongue
Origin
Plants in the Gasteria genus are mostly native to Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and extends into the far south-west corner of Namimbia and the Lebombo mountains of Swaziland.
Gasteria succulents are extremely difficult to divide into species as each plant can be highly variable depending on its location, its soil and its age. As many as 100 names have been listed. Current studies tend to agree that there are between 16 and 23 species.
Flower
Gasteria inflorescence
Gasteria's inflorescence is also unique with their curved, stomach-shaped flowers hanging from inclined racemes (the oldest flowers are borne towards the base and newest flowers are produced as the shoot grows, with no predetermined growth limit).
This characteristic inflorescence has given this genus its name Gasteria. "Gaster" is Latin for stomach. The plant only flowers when mature after about 2-4 years.
Varieties
The leaves in Gasteria plants may be warty like in Gasteria verrucosa or smooth like in Gasteria maculata. The color of leaves in Gasteria vary from dark-green to light-green. Some are spotted with light shades of green or grey-green. Many hybrids have been developed like, Gasteria bicolor which features thick, flat leaves with striped patterns. Take a look at these popular Gasteria succulents ideal for indoor growing.
Toxicity
Gasteria Plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are among the pet-friendly plants you can grow in the home.
Related Plants
Gasteria genus is closely related to the genera Aloe and Haworthia. The species of these genera are known to hybridise relatively easily with each other.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add Gasteria plants to your collection, they are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy) and on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Gasteria Plant Indoor Care
Gasteria Plants blossom in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-290C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Gasteria succulents require pruning to keep them neat and reduce pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when they become pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Gasteria brachyphylla
Watering
Water Gasteria Plants liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Significantly decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can cause rotting and death of the plant.
Avoiding wetting the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting or water from the bottom instead. Use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock as it can cause reduced growth and eventual death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Gasteria succulent grows best under bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunshine. Keep it away from hot middat sunlight as it can scorch the plant.
Where natural lighting is not adequate, Gasteria may be grown under grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
For even growth, regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-290C are ideal for Gasteria Plant. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is good for the growth of this succulent plant.
Gasteria have no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for these plants.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for Gasteria Plants should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Cactus and succulents soil is ideal for these plants.
Fertilizer
Feed Gasteria succulent monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer as they are slow growing and therefore do not need frequent feeding. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repot Gasteria Plant only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Use a shallow rather than a deep pot as they have shallow roots. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these succulents pots available on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Gasteria Plant involves removal of dead or diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaf at the base with a sharp knife or a pair of pruning scissors to detach it from the stem. Avoid excessive injury to minimise fungal and bacterial infections.
Propagation
Gasteria Plants can be propagated from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant.
How to Propagate Gasteria Plants from offsets (pups)
Select an offset which has several leaves and carefully seperate the offset from the mother Gasteria Plant by cutting with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
Allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to prevent rotting.
Plant the offset in free-draining soil and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Position the set up in a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight.
Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.
Allow the new Gasteria Succulent to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
Gasteria disticha
Gasteria Plant Problems
Gasteria Plant problems include wilting and drooping leaves, leaf spots, rotting, discoloration, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
Common pests in Gasteria Plants are scales insects and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Brown soft spots
Brown soft spots in Gasteria Plant are a sign of leaf spot disease which is enhanced by poor air circulation. Therefore, improve ventilation and ensure that there is proper air circulation for the plant. Read more on how to treat leaf spot disease in houseplants.
Leaves wilted and droopy
Underwatering is the cause of wilted and droopy leaves in Gasteria Plant. Immediately water the plant thoroughly and it should recover. Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry our completely. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the correct way.
Rotting base, yellowing and shriveled leaves
Rotting base followed by yellowing and shriveled leaves in Gasteria Plant is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions. Remove and discard the infected parts to prevent spread to the rest of the plant.
Avoid overwatering during the cold season and reduce watering significantly to maintain the soil slightly moist. Use a fungicidal solution ocassionally to water the plant to prevent the disease infestation.
Wilted and discolored leaves
Wilted and discolored leaves in Gasteria Plant are caused by overwatering during the cold season. Water the plant sparingly during the cold season and allow the soil to almost dry out between waterings.
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