Aveo Gasteria

Aveo Gasteria (Gasteria 'Aveo') is a small clumping succulent that stays under 20cm tall and about 25cm across, with thick tongue shaped leaves speckled over deep green. It is slow, tough and close to unkillable in a pot, and one of the few succulents genuinely not toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Pet friendly, unlike most succulents. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it can sit on a low shelf or a coffee table without worry.
• It tolerates low light. Bright indirect light is ideal, but it holds its shape in shaded spots that would stretch an aloe or an echeveria.
• Water it fortnightly and forget it. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and untroubled by poor soil.
• Small enough for anywhere. Under 20cm tall, so a windowsill, a rockery pocket or a balcony pot all work.

Where it works best

Indoors. A bright windowsill, or a spot a metre back from a north or east facing window, works anywhere in the country and sidesteps frost entirely.

Pots and balconies. One plant per 150mm pot, or three to five in a wide shallow bowl. A free draining mix and a drainage hole are the only real requirements.

Rockeries and dry gardens. In subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens it goes straight into a gritty pocket. Space clumps about 25cm apart, matching its mature width, for a low textured mat.

Growing Aveo Gasteria in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, or morning sun with afternoon shade outside. It takes light frost only, so cool temperate and frosting inland gardens should keep it potted and move it under cover for winter.

Soil. A gritty cactus and succulent mix, or potting mix opened up with coarse sand. Poor soil is fine. Wet soil rots the base, and that is how most people lose this plant.

Water and feed. Soak, drain, then let the mix dry right through: every two to three weeks in the warm months and monthly over winter. A half strength liquid feed twice across spring and summer is plenty.

Pruning. Almost none. Pull away shrivelled lower leaves, cut spent flower stems at the base, and twist off offsets to pot on once they carry a few leaves.

What to expect when it arrives

Plants are supplied in 100mm pots, sold in packs of ten, which is the size landscapers use for mass planting. Each one is an established young clump, ready to pot up into a 150mm or 200mm container or to plant straight into a bed. Ten cover roughly a square metre at 25cm spacing.

Few plants travel better: the thick leaves carry their own water, so they arrive in good order after a long run. Leave yours dry for a week after unpacking. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive, covering light and watering mistakes.
• Browse the wider succulent range for companions on the same schedule.
• More plants safe for pets if you have a chewer at home.
• Compact choices for balconies and courtyards.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

Yes, it is not toxic to cats or dogs, which makes it one of the safer succulents for a home with pets. Chewed leaves still scar permanently, so a shelf is kinder to the plant.

How often does it need water?

Every two to three weeks in the warm months and about monthly in winter, once the mix has dried right through. If you are unsure, wait a few more days.

Will it flower indoors?

Often, yes. It sends up an arching stem of tubular pink and green flowers in the warmer months, and outdoors those flowers draw small nectar feeding birds.

Can it live outside all year?

In subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, yes. It handles light frost only, so colder districts should keep it in a pot that can shift under cover.