Gasteria plants are one of the most common succulents to keep as household plants. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and require very little care to keep in optimal condition. Gasteria plants have many different types with unique looks to each kind. 

If you want an adorable plant to add to your succulent collection (like the ones we offer), this is the plant for you! The gasteria plant is perfect for all your plant needs and satisfies that desire to have a gorgeous plant collection in your own home. 

 Get To Know Your Gasteria 

There is so much to learn about the gasteria plant. From variety, to plant care, to fun facts about each species, you have found your ultimate guide to learn all you need to know about your new gasteria plant.

Gasteria is among the succulent variety. They are closely related to the aloe and the hawtheria, but they are their own species. It can be hard not to confuse them with these other well-known succulent plants. 

The gasteria plant can be found in South Africa. In their native environment, they can most likely be seen along the Cape. This plant thrives in desert environments, which means that it is incredibly drought tolerant. 

The succulent leaves of a gasteria typically range from one inch to potentially over a foot in length. These leaves can be triangular or shaped like the rounded part of a spoon. They have been often noted to look like stomachs, hence their name. Gasteria is actually Greek for “stomach.”

A common trait of a gasteria plant is its waxy leaves. These leaves can have a gorgeous banded pattern, be covered in white spots, or even contain bumps that resemble warts. Something to note about their lives is that if they are incredibly fleshy, they can actually be quite fragile to the touch. Gasteria also has a very shallow root system. 

A fantastic quality found in the gasteria plant is its ability to flower. You are likely to see a beautiful display of red and pink flowers on your gasteria plant in the springtime. The shape of the flowers you see on your gasteria plant is largely dependent upon the species. 

However, regardless of what gasteria you own, the flowers are edible. They can be cooked or eaten raw. You are most likely to see the flowers of a gasteria in stews.

 Gasteria Options Galore

While the gasteria are members of the succulent family, consisting of thousands of various species, there are actually only 16 species of gasteria in total. Some of the most commonly owned gasteria species are:

• Gasteria acinacifolia
• Gasteria carinata
• Gasteria baylissiana
• Gasteria bicolor
• Gasteria glomerata

A unique quality of the gasteria acinacifolia is their vibrant orange or pink flowers. The flower forms a tubular shape and can reach lengths of three feet. This variety, in particular, is exceedingly rare to come upon. As a young plant, the gasteria acinacifolia is a bright green. When it matures, the leaves begin to come to a point at the end, giving it a fantastic rosette appearance. 

The gasteria carinata is a very unique species of the gasteria plant. This species in particular has a total of five subspecies. The leaves on this variant of gasteria are especially unique. They start out in a singular line pattern but grow beyond that line as it matures. This characteristic gives the gasteria carinata a unique quality that is unfound in other species. 

 How To Care for Gasteria 

The gasteria plant is a very durable succulent variety. These plants are commonly purchased for indoor decoration. They are drought-tolerant, making them so easy to take care of. They require very little watering, making them a low-maintenance plant. Gasteria plants are also known for being able to endure partial shade, which is why they can make such excellent plants for your indoor spaces.

Caring for a gasteria plant is not complicated at all. However, there are some specific ways to care for a gasteria that require a different methodology compared to other plants. For example, there are differences found in how much light your gasteria needs, how to bloom gasteria, and how to get rid of brown spots on gasteria. 

Light: Your gasteria truly does not need an excessive amount of light. They are drought and shade-tolerant. You can keep your gasteria in partial shade, and they will do wonderfully.

Still, if you would like to see your gasteria bloom in its gorgeous variety of colorful flowers, most variations need to be put in the sunlight to truly bloom. If you give your gasteria plant some sunlight, you are bound to see some fantastic blooms emerge.

Temperature: Gasteria is not a frost-tolerant succulent. With decent ventilation, summer heat is not an issue, but gasteria should be kept above 50 degrees in the winter.

Brown Spots: Something else to be mindful of when caring for your gasteria plant is the brown spots it can produce. These brown spots are created by the plant’s default protective system when a fungal issue has arisen. The gasteria plant seals off the infected location, which oxidizes the infected area, giving it a darker color. A way to ensure that this process does not occur is by limiting the plant’s exposure to humidity and condensation. If you do this, it is less likely for the plants to get fungal infections. 

Water: As with most succulents, your gasteria should be watered generously in the summer, letting the soil dry completely in between waterings. Gasteria should be watered less frequently in the winter, around every other month. Always focus your watering on the soil, avoiding the plant’s leaves.

Propagating Your Gasteria

Propagating your gasteria is a very simple process. 

• Remove the leaf
• Let is sit out and dry for approximately one month 
• After a month has passed, lay the leaf on its side on top of the soil, slightly buried
• After another month, the plant will have rooted and begun creating brand new plants
• Once the new plants have grown a bit and gotten stronger, you are free to repot them into their own space and watch them grow

 Bring a Gasteria Home Today 

You are going to want to bring home a gasteria plant today! These plants are gorgeous and unique. You get a wonderful perennial that has fantastic and vibrant blooming seasons. 

Additionally, your plant is so simple to care for and will thrive with minimal effort. The gasteria plant is a must-have indoor plant. You can find the perfect one for you and improve your succulent collection with ease.

Sources:

Gasteria On-line Guide to the positive identification of Succulent Plant Families | Succulent Guide

Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana | PlantZAfrica

The Gasteria Page | Succulent Guide