Namaqua Gasteria Oro

Gasteria pillansii is a charming, slow-growing succulent that is often grown as a houseplant in the UK, although it can spend summers outdoors. It features thick, tongue-shaped leaves that grow in a fan-like (distichous) arrangement when young, eventually forming a rosette as the plant matures. The dark green leaves are mottled with small, white, raised spots, giving them a rough texture. In spring, it produces long, arching inflorescences with pendant, stomach-shaped (gasteriform) flowers that are typically bicoloured in pink and green. Rated H2, it requires protection from frost and is best suited for a bright windowsill or a heated greenhouse. It is more shade-tolerant than many other succulents, making it an excellent choice for indoor environments. It prefers a free-draining potting mix and should be watered sparingly, especially during the winter months when the plant is semi-dormant.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Cactus compost with perlite.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Mar, Apr, May.