Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft is a national authority on drought-resistant gardening. Twice a month, she and her staff share their knowledge with readers.
Q I was impressed with the Gasteria excelsa plant shown in the Aug. 3 Ruth’s Tips column, and would like to get one for my garden. But I have not seen it at nurseries; is it available in the horticultural trade?
A Gasteria excelsa is not a commonly grown species, but our nursery at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek (open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily) offers it for sale. We also grow a similar large species, Gasteria acinacifolia, which has more densely speckled leaves.
The naming of Gasterias can be a little confusing, for two principal reasons: First, there have been many name changes in Gasteria over the years, so the same plant may be offered under various names. Second, Gasteria plants hybridize readily, and many of those in nurseries and garden centers are hybrids These may be identified as just “Gasteria” or “Gasteria hybrid.”
Whether species or hybrids, one thing these plants have in common is that they do not need as much direct sun as many other succulents. For this reason, they can be used in shadier spots, and they also thrive as house plants.
The larger species, such as G. excelsa and G. acinacifolia, would require a jumbo-size pot at maturity, and take up more space than other house plants. Most of the other Gasterias, however, are modest in size and can live happily in ordinary-size pots.
Q I would like to propagate a Gasteria I have had for several years, so I can share it with friends. However, it has made only one offset in all this time. Is there a way to get it to make more?
A Gasterias vary in making offshoots. Some do so readily and soon become a clump, while others do so sparingly or not at all. For those that seldom or never make offshoots, another propagation method works well: growing plants from leaves.
A leaf can be removed from the original plant and left for a week so that it forms a callus on the severed end. Then it can be inserted into a fast-draining soil mix and watered sparingly until it begins to form roots.
At that point, the watering can be increased. Eventually little plants will grow from the base of the leaf. When these are big enough, they can be separated and grown on their own. Although this method works well, it requires patience, since the new plants develop slowly.
Editor’s note: In the Aug. 3 column on Gasteria excelsa, a phrase was missing from the sentence that follows; here’s how it should read: “Gasterias, in general, are shade-loving, and G. excelsa is no exception, often growing under trees or bushes.”
Email your questions on drought-resistant plants to info@ruthbancroftgarden.org.
