×Gasteraloe 'Cosmo'

Scientific Name

×Gasteraloe 'Cosmo'

Synonym(s)

Aloe aristata 'Cosmo', Aloe aristata 'Green Pearl', Aloe 'Cosmo', Aristaloe aristata 'Cosmo', ×Gastrolea 'Cosmo'

Scientific Classification

Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Nothogenus: ×Gasteraloe

Description

×Gasteraloe 'Cosmo', also known as Aristaloe aristata 'Cosmo', is a slow-growing succulent that forms dense rosettes of fleshy, speckled, rich green leaves. It can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall.

The flowers are cylindrical, orange-red, and appear in a spike-shaped inflorescence.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Gasterias are often grouped with Haworthias because the plants have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive, small succulents that can tolerate more shade than many succulents, making them more suitable as houseplants.

These succulents are susceptible to fungal infections, which usually appear as black spots on the leaves. These result from too much humidity or water on the leaves, but they should not spread too quickly. They have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks: attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. Generally, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria.

Gasterias are small, shallow-rooted, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its dish, repot into a new wide and shallow dish with fresh potting soil in the spring or early summer. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Gasteria.

Origin

×Gasteraloe 'Cosmo' is possibly a hybrid of unknown Gasteria and Aristaloe aristata or just a cultivar of Aristaloe aristata.

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