Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa
| Light | Bright, indirect light to light shade; protect from harsh direct summer sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate in the growing season; let the soil dry between waterings, keep drier in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf cuttings, offsets and seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa — the warty ox-tongue — is a small, clumping South African succulent whose long, tapering, tongue-shaped leaves are densely studded with raised white pearly tubercles, giving the plant a rough, warted texture found on few other Gasteria. Tough, forgiving and easy to grow, it is a classic old collection and windowsill plant that has been passed between growers for generations.
Description
Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa forms slowly spreading clumps of thick, strap-shaped leaves that taper to a point. The leaves are held in a flat, two-ranked (distichous) fan; unlike the typical variety, whose rosette tends to spiral with age, var. verrucosa characteristically retains this distichous arrangement even in mature plants, though very old clumps may eventually begin to spiral. The grey-green leaf surface is the plant's most distinctive feature: it is covered in numerous small, raised, chalky-white tubercles — the "warts" that give the variety its name — which stand out sharply against the leaf and can make it feel like fine sandpaper to the touch.
From late winter into spring the plant sends up a slender, arching flower spike bearing the curved, swollen-based tubular flowers typical of the genus. These are usually pinkish-red fading to green at the tips, dangling in a loose raceme. The stomach-like swelling at the base of each flower gives Gasteria its name (from the Greek gaster, "stomach").
Distribution and habitat
The species Gasteria carinata is widespread in the Western Cape of South Africa, where it grows in a range of habitats on rocky outcrops and slopes, often tucked among rocks or beneath the light shade of surrounding shrubs, under a Mediterranean-type climate of mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The warty variety has a more restricted, eastern distribution, growing on shale, sandstone and limestone outcrops in limestone fynbos, renosterveld and thicket. It is assessed as Vulnerable on the SANBI Red List of South African plants, owing to its small range and pressure from illegal collecting. Plants frequently grow in partial shade rather than full exposure, which is worth remembering in cultivation.
Cultivation
This is one of the more beginner-friendly succulents and a good choice for a first Gasteria. Grow it in a free-draining, gritty mix in a pot with ample drainage. Unlike many desert cacti, it appreciates a little protection from the fiercest direct sun — bright, indirect light or light shade keeps the leaves plump and well coloured, whereas harsh summer sun can scorch them or turn them a stressed reddish-brown.
Water moderately through the growing season, letting the top of the mix dry out between waterings, and ease off in winter. The plant tolerates lower light and occasional neglect better than most succulents, which is part of its long-standing popularity as an indoor plant. As with all Gasteria, the main risk is overwatering, especially in cold or poorly ventilated conditions. See Repotting for dividing crowded clumps.
Propagation
Gasteria is easily propagated and very willing to root. The simplest methods are:
- Offsets — mature clumps produce pups around the base that can be separated and potted once they have a few roots. See Propagation — offsets.
- Leaf cuttings — a whole leaf removed cleanly at the base, left to callus, and laid on or inserted into gritty mix will often form roots and small plantlets. See Propagation — cuttings.
- Seed — possible but slower and, because Gasteria hybridises freely, seed from a mixed collection may not come true. See Propagation — seed.
Common problems
- Rot — from overwatering, cold-wet conditions, or a slow-draining mix; leaves go soft and translucent from the base.
- Scorch / stress colouring — too much direct sun bleaches or reddens the leaves; move to brighter shade to recover.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the leaf axils) and, less often, scale are the usual culprits; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Gasteria — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting
- Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed