Light
Outdoors these succulents will tolerate very bright sunlight as well as part shade – and as houseplants they will need at least four hours of direct sunlight per day.
However, be sure to move to brighter light more gradually, since their leaves can be scorched if placed in full sun without a gentle transition.
When growing gasteraloes indoors, if you don’t have enough direct sunshine from a window, you can consider supplementing with a grow light.
Soil
Like most succulents, gasteraloes need soil with excellent drainage and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Be sure to choose a cactus and succulent soil that is gritty and contains ingredients like pumice, or sand.
You can learn how to make your own potting soil for succulents here.
Water
In winter, you should allow the growing medium to dry completely between waterings – water applications once a month should be enough.
However, in summer when conditions are hotter, keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Learn more about watering succulents here.
Fertilizer
These plants only need to be fertilized once a year in spring.
Be sure to use a gentle fertilizer formulated for succulents, such as Dr. Earth’s Succulence Plant Food, and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Dr Earth Succulence Plant Food
You can find this product available at Arbico Organics.
Learn how to fertilize succulents here.
Cultivars to Select
There are many lovely types of gasteraloes you can grow, each of them with a different look depending on its plant parents.
Here are some of the easiest to find and most attractive:
Green Ice
‘Green Ice,’ the most popular gasteraloe, is a cross between ‘Little Warty’ gasteria, and Aloe variegata.
The triangular leaves are silvery green with dark green stripes and white speckles. Expect ‘Green Ice’ to reach six to 12 inches tall.
You can find ‘Green Ice’ in a three and a half inch pot available from Planet Desert via Amazon.
Lizard Tail
‘Lizard Tail’ features an open rosette of thick, dark green, pointed, and speckled leaves.
This hybrid of Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa and Aristaloe aristata reaches up to eight inches tall and six inches wide.
You may see this cultivar classified as Gasteraloe beguinii, but it’s actually a hybrid.
You can purchase ‘Lizard Tail’ in a four-inch pot from Planet Desert via Amazon.
Royal Highness
‘Royal Highness’ is a Gasteria and Aloe cross that reaches 12 inches tall and wide, and has thick bands of white bumps on its dark green leaves.
Welcome home your own royalty by heading to Planet Desert to pick up ‘Royal Highness’ in four-inch or one-gallon pots.
Maintenance
As I mentioned, gasteraloes don’t require much upkeep. Just a few quick tasks now and then will keep your plant looking its best and help you avoid pest problems down the road.
If your plant blooms, go ahead and snip off the flower spike once the blooms fade.
And don’t worry about the lower leaves drying out and dropping off, that’s totally normal. Just pull them off when you notice them.
Kristina Hicks-Hamblin
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