Gasteria carinata var. carinata

Clumping succulent species.

Dark green leaves 30-40 cm long, initially fan-shaped then spiral-shaped, rough due to scattered raised white papillae Red flowers, tubular with flared base, in long often branched inflorescences. Native to South Africa: endemic to the Western Cape.

In the wild, it grows on hilly terrain, river valleys and vertical rock ledges, on outcrops of shale and sandstone and occasionally limestone in arid open fynbos vegetation, from approximately sea level to about 300 m elevation. If it grows more exposed it tends to have a dark green-brown colour, but more often it grows hidden among bushes and other vegetation, in which case it remains green. Summers are warm with cool nights. Winters are moderate with occasional light frosts and rainfall is around 300-500 mm per year. Rain falls in winter and summer but with a tendency towards summer drought.

Well-drained soil and partial shade. Water every 15-30 days in summer and once or twice a month in winter.

Half-hardy.

Bare root slightly clumped plant.