Bloom Download App
Ox tongue
🏠 Indoor

Asphodelaceae

Ox tongue: Best for Low Light

Gasteria bicolor

Easy ☀ïļ Low light ðŸū Pet safe

Thrives in medium indirect light to some sun, needs infrequent watering, and prefers well-draining soil. Very drought tolerant and low maintenance.

💧 Watering

Every 21 days

☀ïļ Light

Low light

ðŸŒĄïļ Temperature

18° - 25°C

ðŸ’Ļ Humidity

% - %

Categories

What is Ox tongue?

Ox tongue (Gasteria bicolor) is a easy-care plant from the Asphodelaceae family. Gasteria bicolor is a low-growing rosette succulent native to South Africa, prized for its thick, tongue-shaped, white-spotted leaves. It is an easy, slow-growing houseplant that tolerates low light better than most succulents and is safe for pets.

Ox tongue grows up to 15cm, watering every 21 days, 18°C – 25°C. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.

Unlike many tropical plants, Ox tongue tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Ox tongue is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 42 days.

How to Care for Ox tongue?

TLDR: Ox tongue needs Low light, watering every 21 days, and temperatures between 18-25°C with 40-70% humidity.

💧

How Often Should You Water Ox tongue?

Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again, roughly every 2-3 weeks in the growing season and less in winter.

☀ïļ

How Much Light Does Ox tongue Need?

Provide medium to bright indirect light; it tolerates low light well but avoid harsh midday sun.

ðŸŠī

What Is the Best Soil for Ox tongue?

Use a well-draining succulent mix with added perlite or grit to prevent waterlogging.

Care Schedule

ðŸŒą

Fertilize

Every 14 days

🔄

Rotate

Every 7 days

ðŸŠī

Repot

Every 365 days

What Is Ox tongue and Where Does It Come From?

Gasteria bicolor is a low-growing rosette succulent native to South Africa, prized for its thick, tongue-shaped, white-spotted leaves. It is an easy, slow-growing houseplant that tolerates low light better than most succulents and is safe for pets.

How Big Does Ox tongue Grow?

TLDR: Ox tongue can reach up to 15cm tall with Slow growth rate.

📏

Max height

15cm

📈

Growth rate

Slow

🍃

Foliage

Evergreen

Plant Uses

🌚

Ornamental

Great for decoration

Is your plant showing symptoms?

Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:

What Diseases Commonly Affect Ox tongue?

TLDR: Ox tongue is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Root Rot

High

Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.

View solution

Mealybugs

High

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.

View solution

Scale Insects

Medium

Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.

View solution

Aphids

Medium

Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.

View solution

Compare with similar plants

Attribute Difficulty Light Watering Pet Safe
Field Maple Easy Bright indirect 14d ✓
Silver Birch Easy Direct sun 14d ✓
Common Blanketflower Easy Direct sun 10d ✓
Cushion Bush Easy Direct sun 14d ✓

Choose & Compare

vs

Sources & References

Related plants