PlantFiles: Lace Aloe, Torch Plant
Aloe aristata

Planted in full sun for more than half the day in Phoenix area caused some major sunburn to this plant (was an unusually long hot spell--more than 2 wks over 110 every day) but recovered well when temps dropped. Should probably provide a little more shade in a severe climate like ours.

This plant grew totally neglected overgrown in a massive clump of Euphorbia canariensis for 18 years. The only sun it got was the tiny bit that filtered through the branches of the overgrowth. It formed beautiful normal clumps while never receiving anything but rainwater for those 18 years. Perfect drainage and I have no idea whether it flowered during that period.

On the due north side of the euphorbia cananiensis clump I found a single plant head of this Aloe aristata that was etiolated to a 10" tall, yet still a lovely plant and it was in complete shade with no exposure to sun and shrouded entirely by the overgrowth so it was dark. I would have to cut several 3' branches of the euphorbia to remove the a. aristata growing here.

I bet this will make an excellent indoor aloe if not coddled with too much water.

bob
:>)

This plant grows well in full sun in Southern California. It is easily rooted in potting soil with warmth.

Grows well outdoors in S E England takes at least -6 deg C.
Needs to be well drained soil, but normal winter wet is not a problem. Flowers every year for me in sun and partial shade and forms quite large clumps.

Known as Lace Aloe.
A lovely little plant, ideal for beginners. Can be just left to itself, and produces lots of pups from the base. Will also flower readily provided it gets plenty of sunlight in summer.
Has white whiskers at ends of leaves.

Reduce water in winter - don't worry if it shrivels - then resume watering in spring, repotting if necessary.

small attractive aloe that looks a lot like a giant Haworthia. Has numerous leaves, pointed up in a rosette with little white tuberuncles all over them. Flowers on multiple branches and usually dull red to pinkish- flower dwarfs the plant, though. When not watered well, leaves tend to curl inwards and darken, giving the whole plant a curious unhealthy globoid look, like something about to rot. Definitely more attractive if given water, just not natural. I know it's supposed to get less water in winter, but here in southern California winter is often the only time these get water, and sometimes it rains a LOT... surprisingly it does fine with this deluge of cold water in during the coldest time of the year- even tends to look great. Wouldn't recommend this, however, in colder or more humid climates, or indoor plants.

Native of S Africa.

Very commonly hybridized with Gasteria sp. for a larger, thicker, hardier plant, still with the same color and spotting.