Aloe Species, Spiral Aloe

On Aug 12, 2016, katng from Hayward, CA wrote:

The bottom leaves look like they are drying out. I don't want to water too much, but I'm watering every few days. I've tried extending the amount of days and shortening the amount of days between watering. I don't want to kill it. This is the most I've ever spent on a succulent, but I've always admired it. I will try to figure out how to upload a picture.

On Feb 14, 2016, Lushiouslita from Foxton ,
New Zealand wrote:

I live in hot sands foxton in new zealand, i got my spiral aloe 14 months ago a lady was giving it away , it's probably a 3 ft diameter beautiful and deadly it took me 31/2 hours of negotiating weight and spines to get her out of my boot and intent he garden a year later I had to move she had just flowered is left spiraling and I had another 21/2 hrs of figuring out how to get her into a planter box . Managed to not price myself once I learnt the hard way the first time. I think I under soiled the box now am trying to figure out how to lift her to add more, reading this I see I have been over watering and she is in extreme direct heat but seems to be thriving , does have bruised tips at mo from moving but was the same when I got her took a good nine months to recover tho, but still flow... read moreered. I'm not a gardener so didn't know to look for seeds do they just drop from her flower pods? . I love her.

On Jan 27, 2011, Lesotho from Ficksburg,
South Africa wrote:

Spiral Aloes like to be ignored, they grow in decomposed Sandstone. Water once every two weeks and never fertilize because if they grow too fast they won't spiral. One must remember they live in Lesotho which is a mountain kingdom. They don't like hot weather, in fact love being covered in snow during the winter as excessive exposure to wind will dry them out. they are used to -10 to -20 C overnight which usually warms to 10 to15 C during the day, summer temps go to 15 to 22 C so it's a very cool climate.
I have many growing in my garden, rain doesn't bother them unless they are young. To grow the seeds keep them wet at all times do not let them dry out, 10-18 days and you will have success. Keep the soil wet for young ones until they are able to transplant into a larger contai... read morener.

On Feb 8, 2010, bschuttler from Monticello, GA wrote:

My daughter has the spiral aloe in her garden and I would love to start one,but I don't know how to. I don't want to ruin the spiral of this plant,so could you help me figure out how to get a start of this beautiful aloe plant. thanks

On Dec 10, 2006, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote:

This is one of the most ornamental aloes, but in my climate in southern California, it is one of the hardest to keep alive. It hates the heat and will usually perish if not kept moist and cool in summers (need a cool place indoors maybe?). Have lost several despite all efforts. I know some grow this along the coast down here well, but seems much happier in northern California. Don't let the USDA date fool you into thinking this aloe grows like any other.

Update... I have finally had success with this species in southern California, as have others, even without taking it in in hot summers... I have mine in an elevated location off the ground in a pot (less hot there) and in mostly filtered shade. It still brown-tips in the summers, but does pretty well... very slow com... read morepared to how it grows in more coastal climates, though. Gotten one through 3 summers and looking really none the worse for wear! Not sure if I will ever get it to flower, though.

On Jan 13, 2005, salvia_lover from Modi'in,
Israel wrote:

this plant requires a minimum temperature of 50°F

The leaves of this stemless Aloe are purple-tipped with white teeth.