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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Gasteria glauca (Kouga River Gasteria) A small aloe-like plant with clusters or 10 inch rosettes that when young have leaves arranged distichously but with age forming dense rosette with 3 to 4 inch long by 3/4 inch wide tongue-like grey-green leaves which taper towards the acute tip. The leaves have a rough texture and a waxy coating that gives it the glaucus gray color and it is this color and the sharply pointed leaves that are distinguishing characteristics of the species. In spring the unbranched inflorescence rises nearly a foot above the leaves with pendulous small tubular flowers that are reddish pink at the swollen base and greenish yellow toward the petal tips. Can grow in cool coastal full sun but best with part shade (and this is necessary in hotter inland conditions) in a well-drained soil and irrigated only occasionally late spring to fall. Hardy to at least 25° F. It is an attractive plant and considered one the easier Gasteria to cultivate. Gasteria glauca grows naturally on sheer, south-facing (shaded in the Southern Hemisphere) cliffs and rock ledges cliff faces overlooking the Kouga River in the Eastern Cape Province. Its closest relative is Gasteria ellaphieae, which grows in similar habitat along the Kouga River further to the east. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'gaster' meaning "stomach", in reference to the swollen shape of the base of the flower and the specific epithet is from the Greek word 'glauca' meaning "bluish-gray" in reference to the waxy bloom that coats the leaves. This plant was first described Cactus and Succulent Society Journal in 1998 (V.70 N.2) from plants collected by Rob Welsh, Yasna Welsch and Ernst van Jaarsveld on an expedition exploring the Kouga River in 1995. Our original stock plants came to us with the Alice Waidhofer collection that came to us in 2004.
The information about Gasteria glauca displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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