Ox Tongue Plant Care

Ox Tongue (Gasteria obliqua) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Gasteria genus. Ox Tongue is native to Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ox Tongue is also known as Cow's Tongue, Lawyers Tongue, Gasteria.

Ox Tongue displays a builds rosettes. slow growing growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Ox Tongue produces slender, tubular bloom with soft hues of pink or coral.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Ox Tongue every 10–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Ox Tongue thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Ox Tongue in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Gasteria obliqua tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Ox Tongue prefers humidity levels of 30–50%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Ox Tongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Ox Tongue every 10 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Ox Tongue is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Ox Tongue can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Ox Tongue while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Ox Tongue is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Ox Tongue can be propagated through propagate by offsets or leaf cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to gasteria plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Ox Tongue is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Ox Tongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Ox Tongue is native to Eastern Cape, South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Ox Tongue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.