Botanical family: Asphodelaceae

Aloe africana

Native to South Africa, it is a small, slow-growing tree of about 10-20 feet in height and width with an attractive trunk with lighter-colored markings and bark. It is an evergreen or semi-evergreen plant with narrow, gray-green leaves that feature white tubercles on their surfaces.

When planted outdoors in the ground, Aloe africana prefers full sun and moderate water during the summers and should be kept dry during the winter months. When grown in a pot, it can be kept outdoors in USDA zones 9-11, or brought indoors and kept in a bright location during the winter months.

The African Aloe blooms an abundance of yellow and orange tubular-shaped flowers during the winter months, making it a very attractive addition to any garden. The blooms attract both butterflies and hummingbirds, and the plant itself is known in ethnomedicine as an essential remedy.

Although Aloe africana is a beautiful plant, it is also somewhat spiny or thorny, and should be handled with caution. When grown in cold regions, the plant should be placed in a pot to protect it from cold temperatures which can cause tissue damage. Make sure to use a well-draining potting soil and containers with drainage holes and avoid overwatering. Place the pot in a sunny location and be sure to fertilize them regularly, and you can enjoy the beauty of African Aloe in your garden!

Aloe arborescens

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Tree Aloe is grown mainly as an ornamental or as an accent plant, but is also an excellent and impenetrable hedge plant. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.

Aloe aristata

It is a slow-growing succulent that reaches 2 to 5 feet tall with a spread of up to 2-3 feet wide. Aloe aristata (Torch Plant) has beautiful rosettes of fleshy leaves with white spots and fine spines along the margins. This plant is native to South Africa and prefers full sun and moderate water. It is grown for its ornamental foliage, which is quite spiny or thorny.

Aloe aristata is a hardy succulent that is best suited for USDA Zone 8-10. When grown in its optimal climate, it will require minimal care and will be quite drought tolerant. When grown in a pot, it should be watered every 7-10 days during the summer and every 3 weeks during winter months. In cold regions, the plant should be brought indoors to prevent freezing temperatures that can damage its foliage. During the summer, it can be placed outside in a sunny spot.

To keep Aloe aristata healthy and growing well, it should be planted in a well-draining potting soil or cactus mix. The soil should be allowed to dry out completely before being re-watered. The plant can also benefit from periodic fertilization with a balanced fertilizer, applied in early spring. Pruning and trimming of old foliage is also recommended for aesthetic purposes.

For an extra bit of protection from the sun, Aloe aristata can be lightly shaded with a mesh cloth or light fabric during the hottest parts of the day. This will help to prevent the plants from getting sunburned and keep their leaves soft and green. As with all succulents, Aloe aristata should be grown in a bright spot, with full sun exposure and moderate water. With plenty of care and attention, this small plant can become a great addition to any garden.

Aloe erinacea, Aloe melanacantha var. erinacea

Aloe erinacea, or Goree, is a small plant native to Namibia, that typically ranges between 2 to 5 feet in height. It is a low-growing succulent, with a rosette of fleshy leaves that display a variegated pattern across a blue-green backdrop. The leaves are full of thorns or spines, which gives the plant its unique look and makes it easily distinguishable from other succulents.

This drought-tolerant succulent requires full sun and prefers well-drained, dry soil. It can withstand hot temperature and grows best in USDA Zones 9-11. It requires moderate watering and only needs occasional watering during summer months when the soil is dry. During the winter months, it is recommended to not water at all.

Aloe erinacea is well suited to be grown in containers, with more frequent watering needs. If you are trying to grow this plant in cold regions, you may need to bring the pot indoors in the winter. Keep in mind that Goree prefers to be on the drier side, so don't overwater it. When potting, use a well-drained, arid soil.

The rewards of growing Aloe erinacea are well worth it. Not only does this succulent look beautiful and unique, it is also low maintenance and resistant to pests and diseases. Aloe erinacea can be used to create an eye-catching centerpiece to your succulent garden, or as a focal point in a larger container or planter. With its easy-care nature and colorful foliage, you'll be sure to enjoy this Namibian beauty for years to come.

Aloe haworthioides

Aloe juvenna

This attractive aloe is native to Africa and grows up to 2-5 feet high, with a spread of a couple of feet. Its leaves, arranged in a rosette, are short, succulent, bright green and edged with brownish-red spines.

It's easy to care for Aloe juvenna and prefers full sun but accepts light shade, though too much shade will reduce the number of blooms. During the growing season, it likes moderate amounts of water and good drainage. In the winter months, it has the capacity to survive dry conditions, but for the health of the plant, water should be given at least once a month. This plant is hardy to USDA Zone 9-11, but in colder regions, it's best grown in a pot and stored in a cool, dry place, and kept over the winter months in a bright, sunny location, but not in direct sunlight.

In terms of maintenance and care, Aloe juvenna is quite easy to care for. Feed the plant once in spring and again in the early fall with a slow-release granular fertilizer or liquid fertilizer. When repotting or pruning, use gloves to protect your hands due to the sharp leaf spines. To maximize flowering, remove dead flowers as soon as they appear, and snipping off the seed pods will halt self-seeding. In the cold winter months, the pot should be put in a cool and dry place, away from the risk of frost.

Aloe marlothii

Aloe marlothii is a large, perennial, succulent, single-stemmed aloe, usually 2-4 m tall.

Aloe plicatilis

The Aloe plicatilis grows in an area with a high winter rainfall. Fan Aloe is grown mainly as an ornamental or as an accent plant, but is also an excellent and impenetrable hedge plant.

Aloe sp.

They range in size from little one inch miniatures to massive plant colonies consisting of hundreds of 2 foot diameter plants. Although most Aloes have some medicinal or commercial value, the most commonly known is the Aloe barbadensis... better known as Aloe vera. All Aloes are semitropical succulent plants, and may only be grown outdoors in areas where there is no chance of freezing (USDA zones 10-11). However, they make excellent house plants when they are given sufficient light. Potted Aloes benefit from spending the summer outdoors. Older specimens may even bloom, producing a tall stock covered with bright colored coral flowers. Aloe flower nectar is a favorite of hummingbirds! The medicinal properties of Aloe vera have been known, and recorded since biblical times. It has been used for a variety of ailments, and as an ointment for burns, cuts, and rashes, as well as an ingredient in various beauty preparations. The sap of the Aloe is a thick, mucilaginous gel. It is this gel which is used medicinally. Because Aloe plants consist of 95% water, they are extremely frost tender. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade. The soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering. Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system, so when it is time to repot choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one. You may also use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil. Aloes are propagated by removing the offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are a couple inches tall (or larger). They may also be grown from seed.

Aloe speciosa

The rosettes of Aloe speciosa are often tilted to one side, to allow the plant to obtain the maximum amount of light. In the southern hemisphere, the tilt is usually towards the north, and in the northern hemisphere, towards the south, but a plant growing in a shady position would tilt its head in the direction that it receives the most light, which is not necessarily the north/south.