Gasteria nigricans f. monstrose

Gasteria nigricans f. monstrose, also called sharkskin gasteria or black gasteria, is a perennial succulent plant that belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. It is native to southern regions of the African continent, present in some areas of South Africa and Namibia. Sharkskin gasteria displays an unusual growing pattern: It produces thick, dark green leaves that form a haphazard rosette in which the leaves grow in all directions. This is a key characteristic of its monstrose growing habit. The coloring of sharksin gasteria can range from dark green to nearly black, and reddish hues may arise due to sun stress. Light speckling is also a common feature on the leaves of this gasteria, but these spots vary from plant to plant and may not appear at all on some specimens. Like most gasteria, the leaves of sharkskin gasteria are pointed at the ends and thickest near the middle with a tough, skinlike texture.

• 

  Full sun to partial shade

• 

  Occasional watering

• 

  Not Frost hardy

• 

  Free draining