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

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 5th August, 2025 at Mt Coot tha Botanical Gardens, Queensland

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

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

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

Growth Rate

Slow

Maturity

2-4 yrs.

Life Span

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

Recurved

Lanceolate,

Recurved

Leaf Texture (front)

Scabrous

Leaf Texture (back)

Scabrous

Leaf Length(s)

150-175mm, 175-200mm

150-175mm,

175-200mm

Leaf Width(s)

30-40mm

Leaf Margin(s)

Entire

Leaf Arrangement

Rosette

Leaf Cross Section(s)

Ob-triangular

Apice(s)

Acute Broadly

Base(s)

Clasping

Truncate

Clasping,

Truncate

Leaf Aroma

None

Leaf Attachment

Sessile

Trunk / Stem Properties

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Construction

Acaulescent

Trunk / Stem Cross Section

Terete

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Flowering Time (start)

Winter

Flowering Time (end)

Spring

Colour(s)

Pink, Green Tipped, Pink-orange

Pink,

Green Tipped,

Pink-orange

Aroma(s)

None

Flower Shape(s)

Tubulate

Pendulous

Flower Size(s) Length

25-30mm, 30-35mm, 35-40mm

25-30mm,

30-35mm,

35-40mm

Attachment

Pedicelate

Pedicel Size (flower stem)

8-9mm

Pedicel Texture

Glabrous, Waxy

Glabrous,

Waxy

Arrangement(s)

Spike Secund

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

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bees,

Birds,

Butterflies

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Capsule

Capsule - 3 valved

Shape(s)

Oblongoid

Outer Colour(s)

Brown

Length

15-20mm

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

Summer

Fruit Ripening

2 mths

Maturation for Fruiting

2 yrs., 3 yrs.

2 yrs.,

3 yrs.

Seed Properties

Type

Samara

Colour(s)

Black

Shape(s)

Flat

Seed Length

4-5mm, 5-6mm

4-5mm,

5-6mm

Seed Appendage

Wing

Seed Dispersal

Wind

Seed Number

many

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Tap Conical

Fibrous,

Tap Conical

Texture

Fibrous , Fleshy

Fibrous,

Fleshy

Invasiveness

None

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter, Premium Potting Mix

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter,

Premium Potting Mix

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral

Condition(s)

Moist

Moist-Dry

Moist,

Moist-Dry

Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Waterlogging Class

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

Bird Attraction

Insect, Nectar

Insect,

Nectar

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Light

Snow Tolerance

None

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

-2 - 0°C

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Landscape Use

Moderate

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Dead Heading, Dead Leaf Removal

Dead Heading,

Dead Leaf Removal

Pests/Diseases

Scale, Slugs, Snails

Scale,

Slugs,

Snails

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Architectural, Garden-Modern, Garden-Border Plant, Garden-Container, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Cacti, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Cottage, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Desert, Garden-Indoors, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Rock, Garden-Xeriscape, Groundcover, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Pool side, Sunny Dry, Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Garden-Architectural,

Garden-Modern,

Garden-Border Plant,

Garden-Container,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Cacti,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Cottage,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Desert,

Garden-Indoors,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Xeriscape,

Groundcover,

Playground Friendly,

Pond Edge,

Pool side,

Sunny Dry,

Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Dormancy

Summer

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium

Low,

Medium

Vulnerability

VU - Vulnerable

Altitude Range - Habitat

500-600m, 600-700m

500-600m,

600-700m

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

Annual Precipitation Range

350mm, 400mm, 450mm, 500mm, 550mm

350mm,

400mm,

450mm,

500mm,

550mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR4, FR6, FR11

FR4,

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds

Propagation

Leaf Cuttings, Offsets

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'

Propagation Notes

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Leaf Cuttings

Flowering

Spring, Winter

Cutting

Summer Early, Summer Mid, Spring Late

Material Preparation

Select mature leaves and carefully pull down and sideways to pull them off the stem. Cut across the base of the leaf to tidy up the torn material. Set aside for 1-2 months to callous over and dry the wound area.

Propagating Mix

2 parts washed Propagating Sand + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Fill the seedling tray with mix and firm down. Water tray of mix thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Using a dibber, press leaf gently into tray of mix until it will stand firm, allow space between the leaves for the plantlets to form and grow. Place in a cold house with temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75 %

Nursery Stock 95%

Rooting Time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks

100mm Pot Mix:- Premium Cacti Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 2 parts coarse washed Sand

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Spring, Winter

Seed Collecting

Summer

Sowing

Summer

Material Preparation

Collect the capsules as they are starting to dry out. Place in a paper bag to dry out thoroughly for 1 - 2 weeks. Rub the capsules between gloved hands to remove any seed that hasn't fallen out. Clean and store in a cool dark place.

Viability:- 1 - 3 years

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Fill seedling tray BUT do not firm down. Sow seed, approximately 10mm apart, cover lightly with mix, then a thin sprinkle of fine gravel (2-3mm), water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in a cold house. Keep moist but not too wet. Maintain cold house environment temperature between 25-30° C, with bright indirect sunlight.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 21 - 90 days

Pricking out:- 8 - 10 weeks after germination (2 - 3 leaf stage)

Tube Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand

Offsets

Flowering

Spring, Winter

Division

Summer Early, Summer Mid, Spring Late

Material Preparation

Select offsets that are approximately a 1/3 or more the size of the mother plant. Either pull away or with a sharp knife, slice down the side of the stem of the mother plant to remove the offset with roots attached where possible. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 12 - 24 hours.

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed sand

Premium Cacti Mix

Treatment

3/4 fill the 140mm pot with mix. Hold the offset over the soil mix in the pot and back fill around the offset and firm down. The offset should stand firm and be approximately 15 - 25m into the mix, not too deep or it will rot. Water the pots of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %

Nursery Stock 90-99 %

Rooting time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks