The ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ is a captivating succulent hybrid, offering a blend of unique aesthetics and relatively straightforward care. Its robust nature and striking form make it an excellent addition to indoor plant collections, bringing a touch of natural beauty to various settings.
What is ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’?
‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ is an intergeneric hybrid, primarily a cross between Gasteria and Aloe species. It forms compact rosettes of firm, thick, fleshy leaves.
These leaves are typically dark green, adorned with raised white spots or textured tubercles, giving them a unique, warty appearance. They are triangular with a short bristle tip, reaching up to 10 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. In bright light, their dark green can transition to paler shades, sometimes developing purplish, orange, or reddish hues.
During summer, the plant produces arching flower stalks, up to 1 meter long, bearing tubular flowers. These typically have pink buds and white tepals with green mid-stripes, adding subtle color.
Caring for ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’
Light
‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Placing the plant in an area that receives ample light, but is protected from the harshest direct sun, is ideal. While it can tolerate some direct morning sun, intense midday exposure should be avoided to prevent leaf scorch. Signs of too much sun include leaves turning white, yellow, or red-tinged, whereas prolonged deep shade can weaken the plant.
Soil and Potting
This succulent requires a very well-draining soil mix to prevent root rot, as its roots do not tolerate prolonged moisture. A specialized cactus or succulent potting mix is suitable, often enhanced with mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite to improve drainage. Using pots with drainage holes is essential for proper water runoff. This slow-growing plant does not require frequent repotting, often remaining in the same container for several years. Repotting every two to three years into fresh soil during spring or fall is generally sufficient.
Watering
Proper watering involves thoroughly saturating the soil, then allowing it to dry out completely before watering again. It is generally better to underwater than to overwater. During its active growing seasons in spring and fall, maintain regular but moderate watering. However, significantly reduce watering in winter when growth slows, and during the hottest summer months when the plant may be mostly dormant, providing just enough water to prevent leaves from shriveling.
Temperature and Humidity
‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ prefers indoor temperatures ranging between 18-27°C (65-80°F). While it can tolerate outdoor USDA zones 10-11, it is not cold hardy and must be protected from temperatures below 5°C (41°F) to avoid cold damage. This succulent tolerates typical indoor humidity levels and benefits from good airflow, which helps prevent fungal issues.
Fertilizing
This plant does not have high fertilizer requirements, but providing some nutrients can promote optimal growth. Fertilize sparingly, using a diluted, balanced succulent fertilizer. Application should occur only during its active growing season, typically every 6-8 weeks, and not during its dormant period in summer.
Propagating ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’
Propagating ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ is most commonly and successfully achieved through the separation of offsets, also known as pups. These small plantlets form at the base of the parent plant. To propagate, gently remove the offsets once they have developed their own roots, or are at least half the size of the mother plant. Allow the separated offsets to dry for a few days until a callus forms over the cut end; this helps prevent rot when planted.
Once callused, plant the offsets in a well-draining succulent potting mix. Water lightly after a few days and keep the new plants in a bright, indirect light location until they become established. While less common and often less reliable for maintaining hybrid characteristics, propagation can also be attempted from leaf cuttings. For leaf cuttings, allow the detached leaf to callous for about a month before laying it on the soil surface, with the basal part lightly buried, to encourage rooting.
Common Issues with ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’
One of the most prevalent issues for ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’ is overwatering, which can quickly lead to root rot. Symptoms include mushy, yellowing leaves, or a soft, discolored plant body. To prevent this, ensure the soil dries completely between waterings and use well-draining potting mix and containers. Conversely, underwatering can cause leaves to shrivel or become dehydrated, indicating the plant needs a thorough drink.
Exposure to excessive direct sunlight can lead to sunburn, manifesting as brown or bleached spots on the leaves. Placing the plant in bright, indirect light or providing partial shade can prevent this damage.
Pests common to succulents, such as mealybugs and scale insects, can also affect ‘Gasteraloe Royal Highness’. These pests can be identified by their cottony appearance or small, hard bumps on the leaves, and can be treated by wiping them with rubbing alcohol or applying neem oil. If the plant exhibits weak or leggy growth with stretched leaves, it often indicates insufficient light, and moving it to a brighter location will help restore its compact form.