Succulent green leaves white dots
Spotted lanceolate leaves Gasteria acinacifolia
Gasteria acinacifolia top view
Tubular pink flowers Gasteria acinacifolia
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Gasteria acinacifolia, a large-format succulent
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Gasteria acinacifolia is an evergreen perennial. It belongs to the Xanthorrhoeaceae family, like aloe aculeata or haworthiopsis fasciata. It is usually found on the cliffs and dunes of the South African coast. Not very hardy, it prefers to be grown indoors in our latitudes.
How to recognize Gasteria acinacifolia?
This bushy succulent measures between 25 and 75 centimetres in height and up to 65 centimetres in diameter. It's impossible to distinguish its stem. Only its long, rosette-shaped leaves are visible.
Their shape is reminiscent of a spear. Elongated and compact, they end in a sharp point. The largest leaves can reach a meter in length. But the average is between 20 and 60 centimetres long and four to ten centimetres wide. White dots dot the light-green leaf blades. These patterns are distributed in a transverse band.
Flowering takes place between September and December. A cluster rises up to 1 meter. It supports tubular pink flowers. Each flower measures between three and five centimetres.
Gasteria acinacifolia is non-toxic to animals and humans alike. Its flowers are edible and sometimes used in cooking. In South Africa, healers attribute magical powers to the plant. It is whispered that washing with its leaves transmits the gift of blending into nature.
Our maintenance tips
Gasteria acinacifolia all they need is a little water and sun. Their only drawback? Parasites. Mealybugs and fungi are bound to make an appearance with the slightest excess of water. But don't panic! You can get rid of them with a mixture of vegetable oil and washing-up liquid, or with insecticides.
Watering
Wait for the soil to dry out between waterings. Water generously: the substrate must be soaking wet to allow your Gasteria acinacifolia to build up its water reserves.
If tap water is too hard, use rainwater or demineralized water at room temperature.
Drain any water that accumulates in the saucer after watering.
Spray
Gasteria acinacifolia grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Gasteria acinacifolia to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
One week before repotting, water your Gasteria acinacifolia. When the soil is dry, you can repot.
Choose a pierced pot, preferably made of clay. Clay ensures even drying of the potting soil and reduces the risk of root rot. The size of the pot must be greater than that of the plant, so that the roots can develop.
There's no need for a drainage layer. Simply place a pebble over the hole to prevent the substrate from escaping. Water will continue to run off.
Before repotting your succulent, clean it up: remove any dead leaves and scale insects, if you notice any. You can also cut off a third of the roots if they are dry.
Fill your pot with a substrate for cacti and succulents. You can also make your own mixture with potting soil and perlite. Plant your Gasteria acinacifoliawithout burying the crown and tamp it down.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
You can feed your Gasteria acinacifolia with a fertilizer for cacti and succulents.
Prune
You can remove the yellowed leaves.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Remove the shoots that form at the base of the plant with their roots. Proceed delicately, with your hands or a clean knife, to avoid damaging the root system.
In a pierced pot, pour a drainage layer (clay balls or gravel, for example).
Add potting soil for seedlings and plantations. Plant your graft in the substrate. To help you, you can use a pen to make a pilot hole.
Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Disease / Threat
Information
| Family | Asphodelaceae - Asphodelaceae |
| Type | Gasteria - Gasteria |
| Species | Gasteria acinacifolia - Gasteria acinacifolia |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposures | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting methods |
In pots Planter |
| Categories | |
| Tag |
Beginner |
| Origin |
South Africa |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 10a |
| Leaf color |
|
| Flower color |
|
Discover plants from the same family
