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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Variegated Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Orange |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Gasteria acinacifolia (Giant Gasteria) - A medium-sized rosette-forming succulent that grows to 2 feet tall by as wide (this is the largest of the Gasteria) with dark green white-spotted leaves that are broad at the base and narrow and pointed at the tip. It has a flat topped inflorescence rising to 3 feet tall in spring with orange-red stems of nectar-rich and bird-attracting tubular flowers that are orange at the base and have green petals. Can tolerate cool coastal sun but looks best in part sun to light shade. Plant in a well-drained soil and water occasionally to very little. Though often listed as not tolerating much of a frost we have not had problems with this plant with short duration temperatures to 25F but it would be wise to protect if colder or longer cold periods are expected. Good in beach plantings as large container plant or garden plant. This plant has long been in cultivation in Europe having been cultivated in Holland as early as 1809. The specific epithet “acinacifolia” is in reference to the scimitar-shaped leaves. Our plants are produced vegetatively from an original stock plant from the collection of Stockton, CA succulent grower Alice Waidhofer.
This information about Gasteria acinacifolia displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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