Gasteria ‘Little Warty’

Gasteri (Little Warty) Succulent

Gasteria ‘Little Warty’, is a compact and small perennial succulent.  It is just the right size to grow in a container. As it matures, you can expect the ‘Little Wart’ to grow up to 5 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter.

Little Warty slowly forms clumps of green to dark green rosette leaves with silvery-green or olive-green edges and sharp tips.  This succulent’s leaves are rough to the touch. It doesn’t have much of a stem. In spring its flowers are a similar shape to the stomach. The white and green color of the Little Warty along with its hard plastic appearance makes it look unusual. 

How to Grow Gasteria, Little Warty

The Gasteria Little Warty, while slow-growing has a long life. It is easy to care for, thus it is an ideal houseplant.

1. Soil Requirements

The Little Warty can withstand a large range of soils and habitats. They, however, prefer permeable potting mix for drainage.

It is advisable to use fast-draining potting soil with sand or cactus mix when the Little Warty is grown in a container. If planted in your garden, it prefers sandy soil for sufficient draining.

2. Propagation

You can propagate this succulent plant from offsets or leaf cuttings.

• Offsets

The Little Warty plant produces small plants at its base. These are offsets that can be cut or pulled from the mother plant.

Use snippers or a sharp knife to cut offsets. Make sure to cut as close to the stem and include as many roots as you can. You should allow the offsets to dry before repotting.

Get some soil from the mother plant and plant the offsets in a small container. Place it in a bright spot and make sure it gets adequate water.

The mother plant benefits when you remove offsets because then, most of the energy of the main stem can be used for the production of a single large specimen.

• Leaf Cuttings

You can propagate the Little Warty through leaf Cuttings. Cut a piece of leaf from the mother plants and dry it for a few days.  Place the leaf at the edge of the plant container. Make sure the stem touches the potting medium.

3. Watering and Feeding

The “soak and dry” method of watering is the most ideal for your Little Warty plant. This method allows the soil to be completely dry in between your watering schedules.

During the summer, the soil must be damp but not overwatered so water generously and evenly. You should never leave the soil of your plant to dry out.

During cold weather, water the plant only once every other month but never stop watering. Never also allow water to collect on the spaces between the leaves.

Gasteria leaves do not like water falling directly on them. If grown outdoors, provide the plant shelter from sprinkler systems and rainfall.

The leaves will rot when water settles on them. Your plant should have excellent drainage from the planting container or the soil.

Just like all succulents, your Little Warty does not require much water. If it gets rainfall, no additional watering is needed.

Your Little Warty plant will need a balanced fertilizer. Use a cactus fertilizer by diluting it to one-half the strength as instructed in the package.

Fertilize during the growing season- the summer, and once every spring.  Never fertilize during winter.

Gasterias like their soil to have more organic matter. So, mix a small amount of compost into the soil before planting.

4. Light Requirement

The Gasterias live long. There is a slight difference in how to care for them when they are grown indoors or outdoors.

When you notice yellow or white leaves in your plant, it means it got too much sunlight. This succulent will tend to drop leaves without sufficient sunlight.

• Indoors

When grown indoors, the Little Warty plant is happy to be on terraces, windows sills, and mini gardens where there is bright light but no direct sunlight.

• Outdoors

Grow your Little Wart plant outdoors if your area is without freeze or frost. When outdoors, plant Gasterias in a spot with an all-day dappled sun such as below a large tree or spot with an afternoon shade.

You can also take your indoor Gasteria to a lightly shaded spot outdoors for the summer.

5. Temperature

Gasterias typically love warm summers and somewhat cool winters to about 500F.  They are not cool-hardy.

If you live in an area that gets cooler than 30°F, grow them indoors, in a spot where they will get a lot of suns – a southern-facing window if you reside in the Northern Hemisphere.

During warm weather, the leaves of your Little Warty may turn a lighter brighter color. This succulent may also grow small sac-shaped flowers. This plant is frost-resistant to 1°C or less.

They also do not like humid environments, thus, if you live in humid areas, make sure to water your plants only when the soil is totally dry. Humidity will provide your plant with most of its moisture requirements.

How to Maintain Gasteria ‘Little Warty’

The Gasteria ‘Little Warty’ is prone to fungal infections that manifest as black spots on their leaves. This is often due to water on their leaves or too much humidity.

Fungi infections do not quickly spread because Gasterias tend to attack the infecting organisms and seal the fungi-affected area. Fungi infections, though,  may be controlled by making sure the plant has more air moving within it and by keeping it drier. A fungicidal soap can also be helpful.

Gasterias are resistant to most plant pests, but when infested, they may be treated with insecticides.

Gasteria ‘Little Warty’ is one of the easiest succulents to care for indoors.

Gasteria: Names and Origins

Gasteria is a succulent plant that is native to South Africa.  This succulent has over twenty varieties. New hybrids of Gasterias are continuously being developed every so often.

This succulent is called Gasteria because it blooms stomach-shaped flowers. “Gaster” in Latin means “stomach.”

The ‘Little Warty’ goes between the Gasteria ‘Old Man Silver’ and Gasteria batesiana and was created by the Australian hybrid master David Cumming.

Many Gasteria varieties have lots of warts (pearly tubercles) in pastel colors or black in the upper and undersides. Its thick roots come with little branching.

Gasteria ‘Little Warty’ comes from the Family Asphodelaceae, Sub-family Asphodeloideae, Tribe Aloeae, and Genus Aloe. It grows best in Hardiness Zones 9-11 (USDA).

The Gasteria goes with the common names Lawyer’s Tongue and Ox-Tongue.

Not to be confused with Mother-In-Law’s Tongue where the leaves are a great deal longer and pointed and that is another plant entirely – Sanseveria and Draceana).

Because many varieties of this plant have warts in their upper and undersides, ‘Little Warty’ has been added to its name.

Final Thoughts

The Little Warty is a succulent that will add a lot of beauty to your indoor space. It makes a gorgeous addition to a range of landscape decorations.

This succulent can be added to succulent gardens, desert gardens, and rock gardens. They also thrive well in pots.

It’s a pretty little succulent that always makes a bright statement piece. Its leaves,  waxy sheen, and expressive warts make it an immediate attraction. Your ‘Little Warty’ will look great as a table centerpiece.

When touched or ingested, the Gasteria is non-toxic to humans and pets.  It is safe to grow this succulent around kids and your fur buddies.

What a charm of a succulent is Little Warty for beginner gardeners! It’s a popular choice for succulent collectors and those who love indoor gardens.

Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer

Edited By
Patricia Godwin

Patricia Godwin

Patricia has many years of experience as a content writer on various subjects, but her first love is gardening. She’s never met a plant she didn’t like and, consequently, she writes about every type of plant you can think of. Once an avid gardener with a herb garden, a succulent rockery, and a rose garden – to mention a few. Nowadays, she’s constantly on the move searching for interesting plants to bring to your attention; and explain to you all the details you need to grow, care and maintain these plants.

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