(Beestong, Gasteria)

The drought-tolerant succulents in this genus are unique in that they are shade-loving. The 50 to 80 distinct species form clumps of fleshy rosettes that produce some of the most exquisite flowers imaginable. All are native to southern Africa, from South Africa to Namibia, where growing conditions are arid and tropical. As cultivated specimens, they fare best as greenhouse plants or rock garden specimens in frost-free climates.

Gasteria form variable rosettes of fleshy, spineless leaves that...

(Cow's Tongue Cactus, Gasteria, Kus Beestong)

Large rosettes with pointed, spotted leaves make this Gasteria species look like a coarse, multi-armed starfish. Gasteria acinacifolia is the largest species and is native to the dunes across the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A single plant becomes a cluster of multiple rosettes over time. If any portion of a leaf is trampled or broken off, it will readily root in the soil to become a new plant.

The rosette's firm, succulent leaves are strap- or spear-shaped, often...

(Gasteria, Knoppies Beestong)

Knoppies beestong is a very pretty species of Gasteria with pink flowers and rotating fans of dark green leaves marked with attractive lighter green bands. This frost-tender, succulent perennial is native to northern South Africa and adjacent Namibia where it inhabits shaded river banks and rockeries across the interior highland savannahs. A single plant forms a cluster of multiple rosettes over time. If any portion of a leaf is trampled or broken off, it will readily root in the soil to...

(Gasteria, Lawyer's Tongue)

a mature clump of lawyer's tongue looks like a mass of rough-skinned tongues atop the soil. This frost-tender, succulent perennial is native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Over time, a single plant forms a cluster of multiple rosettes with spotted foliage. If any portion of a leaf is trampled or broken off, it readily roots in the soil to become a new plant.

The single-planed rosette's of lawyer's tongue are comprised of thick, plump, strap-like leaves with blunt, oval tips. Each leaf...

(Beestongopcell, Gasteria, Lawyer's Tongue)

This lawyer's tongue produces elongated, dark green leaves covered in lighter dots. This frost-tender, succulent perennial is native to southeastern South Africa. A single plant forms a cluster of multiple rosettes over time. If any portion of a leaf is trampled or broken off it readily roots in the soil to become a new plant. There is considerable variability in this species with some plants forming rounded rosettes and others fan-shaped rosettes. Typically those grown in cultivation have the latter...

(Dwarf Gasteria, Dwarf Lawyer's Tongue, Klein Beestongopcell)

Looking like a miniaturized stacked mass of rough-skinned tongues atop the soil, dwarf lawyer's tongue produces very short, tongue-like, dark green leaves mottled with light-colored dots. This frost-tender, succulent perennial is native to southeastern South Africa in an isolated area of the mountains near Grahamstown. A single plant becomes a cluster of multiple rosettes over time. If any portion of a leaf is trampled or broken off, it readily roots in the soil to become a new plant.

The one-planed...

(Gasteria)

Succulent lovers will prize the beautiful fan-shaped rosettes of spotted foliage and drooping coral and green flowers produced by this charming Gasteria. It is native to the western cape of South Africa where it naturally exists on cool rocky hillside slopes, often under the cover of scrub and open shrubs. Like most Gasteria, it is slow-growing and forms pleasing clumps of plantlets over time.

The fan-like rosettes of this pretty succulent are tongue-like and spotted with...

(Gasteria)

The fan-shaped rosettes of spotted foliage produced by Gasteria carinata yield to slender, curvaceous coral-orange and green flowers in spring. It is native to South Africa where it naturally exists on rocky hillsides, often under the cover of scrub and open shrubs. Like most Gasteria, it is slow-growing and forms pleasing clumps of plantlets over time.

The fan-like rosettes of this pretty succulent are comprised of tongue-like leaves spotted with bands of white tubercles....

(Gasteria)

The fan-shaped rosettes of spotted foliage produced by Gasteria carinata yield to slender, curvaceous coral-orange and green flowers in spring. It is native to South Africa where it naturally exists on rocky hillsides, often under the cover of scrub and open shrubs. Like most Gasteria, it is slow-growing and forms pleasing clumps of plantlets over time.

The fan-like rosettes of this pretty succulent are comprised of tongue-like leaves spotted with bands of white tubercles....

(Gasteria, Natal beestong)

The succulent foliage clumps of Natal beestong are grayish green, relatively large and attractive, but the flowers are only subtly pretty and not as stunning at those of other Gasteria species. It is native to the eastern Cape of South Africa where it naturally exists on rocky hillsides, cliff faces with sandstone rock formations and rocky valleys, often under the cover of scrub and open shrubs. Like most Gasteria, it is slow-growing and forms pleasing clumps of plantlets over time....