Gasteria 'D. Tiga'

The Gasteria ‘D. Tiga’ is a small, collectible succulent plant that easily finds a home in the house or flat. Its thick foliage, arranged in an upright, tightly packed rosette, gives it the appearance of a miniature aloe. Suited to bright interiors, this variety also works well in slightly less bright rooms, where many succulent plants become etiolated.

Botanically, Gasteria belong to the Asphodelaceae family. Closely related to Aloe and Haworthia, they are native to southern Africa, primarily South Africa, where they are found on rocky outcrops and sheltered by vegetation in dry environments.
The cultivar ‘D. Tiga’ is a Gasteria hybrid: it originates from a natural mutation spotted in a greenhouse in Amposta (Catalonia, Spain) in May 2013, then propagated from 2014 onwards; the mentioned breeder is Wander Durk Tuinier for Dümmen Group BV. It is also found under the names 'D Tiga', 'D'Tiga' or 'D-Tiga'. The plant slowly forms a rather upright rosette, evergreen in winter. The leaves, thick (about 0.7 cm), measure around 8 cm long by 3 cm wide. Their surface is dotted with small, lighter tubercles which give them a slightly granulose feel; the edge is finely dentate. The flowering of gasterias, when it occurs, appears on spikes bearing small tubular flowers, but it remains discreet indoors and has not been observed on young plants of ‘D. Tiga’.

Growing Gasteria is accessible to beginners if you remember the rule "better too dry than too wet": excess water is the main cause of failure. In the warmer season, you can put the Gasteria ‘D. Tiga’ outside, placing it in partial shade or bright light without scorching sun, and sheltered from repeated rain. Wait until night temperatures exceed 12-15°C, then bring it back inside as soon as night temperatures approach 10°C.

In an office, near an east or west-facing window, or in a bright living room, the Gasteria D’Tiga makes its mark. Place it in a small terracotta or ceramic pot, on a light wood shelf (Scandinavian or Japandi style) or on a loft-style metal console, with a few surface gravels to accentuate its graphic appeal. It also suits more classic décors, placed with other small pots on a tray or side table, without requiring frequent watering. You can pair it with Aloe aristata, Senecio herreianus ‘Purple Flush’ and Mammillaria ‘Toluca’.