Synonyms:

Aloe brachyphylla
Common names:
Pearl Plant

Habitat:

Gasteria brachyphylla, the parent species of ‘White Streaks’, originates from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It thrives in rocky, shaded areas, often growing under the protection of larger vegetation or in crevices of rocks. This environment has shaped its tolerance for lower light conditions compared to other succulents. The cultivar ‘White Streaks’ originates from nursery.

Description:

Gasteria brachyphylla ‘White Streaks’ is a slow-growing, dwarf succulent belonging to the Asphodelaceae botanical family. The plant grows in a tight, spiraling rosette pattern. This compact growth habit makes it an ideal plant for small spaces and container gardening. The rosette form allows it to store water efficiently, an adaptation to its native dry habitats. The leaves are thick, fleshy, and boat-shaped, dark green in color, adorned with pearly white streaks or spots that create a beautiful contrast. This variegation is what sets the ‘White Streaks’ variety apart from the standard Gasteria brachyphylla. The leaf surface is smooth with a glossy texture, and the edges are slightly curved inward, enhancing the boat-shaped appearance. Blooming occurs during the spring and the blossoms are borne at the apex of long stalks. The flowers are tubular, with shades ranging from coral-pink to orange, which adds an extra layer of visual interest. These blooms are small yet attractive, often visited by pollinators such as bees.

Cultivation:

This is a slow growing plant, easy to cultivate. The best sun-exposure is in bright place but is recommended to avoid direct sun-light in the hottest periods. The plant does not like temperatures below 7°C so it needs to be placed indoors in the coldest periods. The perfect soil is a well-drained soil that let the water to drain away and avoid root rot. To achieve this feature, you can mix the pumice soil, clay and soil. Remember to use a perforating pot to drain excess water. Watering is very important for this species and should be done well: during the vegetative period you can water the plant (every 7 days), checking that the soil is completely dry before watering again; in winter you should stop the watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy. If you want a faster and lush growth you can fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with the specific fertilizers for succulents; stop fertilizing throughout the winter. You should repot the plant every 2 years in a pot 2 cm wider. Repotting should be done early in the growing season with fresh new potting soil. Be careful to red spiders and mealy bugs.

Propagation:

Propagation can be done through leaf cuttings or offsets. When using cutting you can make the cut during the spring and then let the cutting dry; after a few days the cut surface will dry and a callus will form, then place the cutting in a mixture of sand, soil and pumice. To increase the success of propagation you can make two or more cuttings at the same time. For cuttings it is recommended temperatures around 20 °C. Offsets, or “pups”, can be gently removed from the parent plant when they are a few centimeters tall and replanted. Propagation is best done in the spring or summer for optimal growth.

Curiosity:

An interesting aspect of Gasteria brachyphylla ‘White Streaks’ is its ability to adapt to low-light environments, which is unusual for succulents. This makes it an ideal plant for indoor cultivation, especially in spaces that don’t receive abundant sunlight. Its unique leaf patterning also makes it a popular choice for collectors and enthusiasts of ornamental plants. Its name comes from the greek Gastèr, that means belly, stomach, which refers to the shape of the flower bell-shaped, reminds a small bag which then narrows towards the top.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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