Gasteria batesiana Rowley

Common name(s): Knoppies Gasteria, Knoppies Beestong, Ox Tongue

Family: Asphodelaceae Subfamily: Asphodeloideae Synonym(s): Gasteria transvaalensis Rowley Gasteria carinata Rowley, Gasteria subverrucosa var. marginata
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 5th August, 2025 at Mt Coot tha Botanical Gardens, Queensland
Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf_front
Leaf (Front)
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties
Origin(s)
South Africa
  • KwaZulu: Indigenous
  • Mpumalanga: Indigenous
  • Limpopop: Indigenous
Eswatini
  • Swaziland: Indigenous
Plant Type
Succulent, Evergreen Succulent, Perennial
Succulent,
Evergreen Succulent,
Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Arid-Humid
Arid-Humid
Climate Range(s) - Tolerance
Arid-Humid, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub
Arid-Humid,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical-Sub
Aspect Range(s)
Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Arid-Humid, Shrub Steppe
Arid-Humid,
Shrub Steppe
Habitat Zone(s)
Cliffs, Exposed Stony embankments, Hill Sides, Hills, Open areas, Ridges, Rock crevices, Rocky, Scattered, Slopes, Well drained
Cliffs,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Hill Sides,
Hills,
Open areas,
Ridges,
Rock crevices,
Rocky,
Scattered,
Slopes,
Well drained
Mature Height
50-100mm, 100-150mm
50-100mm,
100-150mm
Mature Width
300-350mm, 350-400mm, 400-450mm
300-350mm,
350-400mm,
400-450mm
Plant Shape
Rosette
Rosette
Rosette Rosette
Growth Rate
Slow
Slow
Maturity
2-4 yrs.
2-4 yrs.
Life Span
15-30yrs
15-30yrs
Leaf Properties
Leaf Colour (front)
Green Light Mottled, Green Dark
Green Light Mottled,
Green Dark
Leaf Colour (back)
Green Light Mottled, Green Dark
Green Light Mottled,
Green Dark
Leaf Shape(s)
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Recurved
Recurved
Lanceolate Lanceolate,
Recurved Recurved
Leaf Texture (front)
Scabrous
Scabrous
Scabrous Scabrous
Leaf Texture (back)
Scabrous
Scabrous
Scabrous Scabrous
Leaf Length(s)
150-175mm, 175-200mm
150-175mm,
175-200mm
Leaf Width(s)
30-40mm
30-40mm
Leaf Arrangement
Rosette
Rosette
Rosette Rosette
Leaf Aroma
None
None
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Flowering Time (start)
Winter
Winter
Flowering Time (end)
Spring
Spring
Colour(s)
Pink, Green Tipped, Pink-orange
Pink,
Green Tipped,
Pink-orange
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flower Shape(s)
Tubulate
Tubulate
Tubulate Tubulate
Pendulous
Pendulous
Flower Size(s) Length
25-30mm, 30-35mm, 35-40mm
25-30mm,
30-35mm,
35-40mm
Arrangement(s)
Spike Secund
Spike Secund
Spike Secund Spike Secund
Pendulous
Pendulous
Arrangement Size(s)
300-325mm, 325-350mm, 350-375mm, 375-400mm, 400-425mm, 425-450mm
300-325mm,
325-350mm,
350-375mm,
375-400mm,
400-425mm,
425-450mm
Flowers per Arrangement
many
many
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Bees,
Birds,
Butterflies
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Capsule
Capsule
Capsule Capsule
Capsule - 3 valved
Capsule - 3 valved
Shape(s)
Oblongoid
Oblongoid
Oblongoid Oblongoid
Outer Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Length
15-20mm
15-20mm
Aroma
None
None
Season of Fruiting
Summer
Summer
Fruit Ripening
2 mths
2 mths
Maturation for Fruiting
2 yrs., 3 yrs.
2 yrs.,
3 yrs.
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Tap Conical
Tap Conical
Fibrous Fibrous,
Tap Conical Tap Conical
Invasiveness
None
None
Soil Properties
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist-Dry
Moist-Dry
Moist Moist,
Moist-Dry Moist-Dry
Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Waterlogging Class
None
None
Watering Requirements
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Insect, Nectar
Insect,
Nectar
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Light
Light
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerant
Moderate
Moderate
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Pests/Diseases
Scale, Slugs, Snails
Scale,
Slugs,
Snails
Humidity Requirements
Low, Medium
Low,
Medium
Altitude Range - Tolerance
0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m
0-100m,
100-200m,
200-300m,
300-400m,
400-500m,
500-600m,
600-700m
Fertilising Requirements
FR4, FR6, FR11
FR4,
FR6,
FR11
Wind Tolerance
Strong Winds
Strong Winds

General Notes

A variable species with rough, pointed leaves starting out distichous (opposite one another) then forming a rosette. Slow spreading as rosettes form from around the base. Hardy and drought tolerant, it does well in containers as a house plant, good for rockeries and borders. Loves bright filtered light but not harsh direct sunlight, where it will burn.

Two varieties are recognised and there is some cultivars

  • Gasteria batesiana var. batesiana, the common type variety, and the most widespread one.
  • Gasteria batesiana var. dolomitica, the northernmost variety of this species (and of the whole genus), occurring on sheer dolomite cliffs in Mpumalanga. It has long, slender, elongated leaves (100 x 15mm) and forms dense clumps.
  • Gasteria batesiana 'Little Warty', a small cultivar, 100mm in height, with rough, pointed, mottled leaves.
  • Gasteria batesiana 'Barberton', a small cultivar, 150 - 200mm high, dark green leaves with white spots
  • Gasteria batesiana 'Variegata'