Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa

Scientific Name

Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa (Mill.) van Jaarsv.

Synonym(s)

Aloe verrucosa, Aloe acuminata, Aloe carinata, Aloe intermedia, Aloe racemosa, Aloe repens, Aloe scaberrima, Aloe subverrucosa, Aloe verrucula, Gasteria intermedia, Gasteria radulosa, Gasteria repens, Gasteria subverrucosa, Gasteria verrucosa

Scientific Classification

Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Gasteria

Description

Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa, formerly known as Gasteria verrucosa, is a succulent plant with grey-green leaves which remain opposite in distichous arrangement, not twisting sideways into a rosette shape. The leaves are long, narrow, and channeled, tapering to variably pointed tips. The surfaces are densely tuberculate, rough from the numerous white dots bulging upon them. Flowers are orange-pink, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, and appear early in spring. They grow in simple racemes, occasionally adding small branches. These inflorescences are up to 3 feet (90 cm) long.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Gasterias are often grouped with Haworthia 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. However, Gasterias 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. Gasterias have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks and attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. In general, 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.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Gasteria.

Origin

This variety is native to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.