Lawyer's Tongue

Gasteria bicolor is a charming, slow-growing succulent that is typically treated as a houseplant or a conservatory specimen in the UK, although it can spend summers outdoors. Its leaves are thick, tongue-shaped, and arranged in a spiraling rosette or a distichous (two-ranked) formation. They are dark green and covered with small, pale white spots, giving the plant a textured appearance. In late spring or summer, it produces arching flower spikes bearing pendulous, stomach-shaped (gasteriform) blooms in shades of pink and green. It is much more shade-tolerant than many other succulents, making it ideal for brighter indoor spots or shady corners of a patio during summer. It should be kept relatively dry during the winter months to avoid root rot. Its compact size makes it perfect for terrariums or small decorative pots. While not frost-hardy, it is remarkably resilient to neglect and can live for many decades.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Cactus compost or gritty mix.

Hardiness: H1c — down to 5°C.

Flowering: MayInternal, Jun, Jul.