Gasteria croucheri is part of the coastal and midland flora of the Transkei and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

It is an attractive and large growing Gasteria with lanceolate and triangular leaves.
Plants of the southern coastal areas that were earlier regarded as Gasteria croucheri are now considered to be Gasteria acinacifolia.

The flowering time is from October to January.

The cultivation of Gasteria croucheri is easy. The plants like a well drained soil. Propagation is from seed or leaf cuttings.



Gasteria croucheri near Blaauwkrantz.


Gasteria croucheri from Charlgrove.

Gasteria vlokii is a mountain dweller. The plants have their distribution in the Swartberg mountain range which forms the natural border between the two semi-desert regions, the Little Karoo and the Great Karoo. Gasteria vlokii is also found in the Witteberg mountains in the Willowmore district.

The plants are distichous when young and rosette-forming when older. Protection from the sun seems an important component of their survival and Gasteria vlokii is usually found under bushes or in rock crevices.

So far their seem to be two forms, a small and a larger growing form.

Gasteria vlokii is quite easy to cultivate. Good drainage is essential and a mixture of sand and compost should be ideal. The plants are fairly frost resistant as in their natural habitat the plants are occasionally covered with snow during the winter months.

The inflorescence is a simple raceme and the flowers are red-pink.


Gasteria vlokii, the small form, in a rock crevice en route Gamkaskloof in the Swartberg,


Gasteria vlokii can form huge clumps on the steep ledges.

A larger form on the Swartberg Pass in flower.

Gasteria brachyphylla var. bayeri is endemic to the Little Karoo in the areas of Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp and Ladismith. The plants are happiest on the cooler southern slopes of hillsides and are often well protected from the sun under bushes.

Gasteria brachyphylla var. bayeri is a smallish species and the diameter normally does not exceed 15 cm. The short distichous obtuse leaves often remain quite horizontal while others grow more upright.

The flowers consist of a raceme and the colour of the perianth is orange-red and whitish green towards the tip.

Gasteria brachyphylla var. bayeri is quite easy in cultivation and needs good drainage for optimal growth.

There are a number of instances where this variety occurs with the larger typical variety in nature. In between forms from possible hybridization exist making there identification sometimes a bit difficult.

Gasteria brachyphylla var. bayeri in habitat. An attractive form with many white markings and upright leaves.


Gasteria brachyphylla var. bayeri flower.

Gasteria rawlinsonii is a most unusual Gasteria from the Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape. Unlike other Gasterias the stems of Gasteria rawlinsonii continue to elongate with age, giving rise to numerous distichous leaves along its length. The plants up to 1 meter in length, usually grow pendent over the steep rocks.

Gasteria rawlinsonii is presently known to occur over a distance of some 30 km, from Studis to Geelhoutboskloof. Because the habitat is so inaccessible the plants may well have a wider ditribution. The main flowering time is from July to November but flowering occurs at other times also.

Although Gasteria rawlinsonii is fairly easy to grow from seed, the plants are more difficult in cultivation then other Gasterias. Seedlings need to be treated regularly with fungiside.


Gasteria rawlinsonii (top middle) growing on steep cliff near Studis.


Gasteria rawlinsonii. The plants are almost impossible to photograph in habitat. A special thank you to Gerhard Marx for putting his life at risk for this image !

Gasteria carinata var. carinata is found in coastal areas south of the Langeberg between Mossel Bay and Hermanus. The plants prefer to grow in the shade of bushes, but are also sometimes found growing in the open. Gasteria carinata var. carinata is quite variable and the plants from some areas make it difficult to distinguish between this species and similar species e.g. Gasteria brachyphylla var. brachyphylla.


Gasteria carinata var. carinata in habitat at the Gouritz River between Mossel Bay and Albertinia.