How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Aloe Aristata

The Lace Aloe, or Aloe aristata (reclassed as Aristaloe aristata in 2014), is a low-growing hardy succulent mostly found in South Africa. It has fleshy, soft-spined dark green leaves with white bumps. As the weather changes, the leaves tend to change color, and orange-red flowers grow on the long stems.

Even though this plant is different from other aloes and looks more like a haworthia, it’s still an amazing houseplant and can even be grown in a greenhouse. It’s the perfect plant to add to your xeriscape garden.

Read more to find all about the Aloe aristata plant and what you need to do to take care of it.

Aloe Aristata Plant Overview

Plant Type Succulent Family Asphodelaceae Genus Aristaloe Species Aristaloe aristata (formerly Aloe aristata)	Native Area South Africa Exposure Full sun to partial shade Height 6-9” Watering Requirements Low	Pests & Diseases Mealybugs, scale, root rot Maintenance Low Soil Type Well-draining, sandy Hardiness Zone 8-12

What is Aloe Aristata?

Lace Aloe (also known as torch plant) may be small in size, but it is one of the strongest aloe plants. Also known as torch plant, this plant is resilient and easy to grow in almost all types of weather and growing conditions. It used to be classed in the Aloe genus but has since been reclassed into Aristaloe.

Native Area

This succulent is native to the mountainous regions of southern Africa. It is primarily found in the grasslands and rocky outcrops of Lesotho, the Eastern Cape, and parts of the Free State in South Africa. It thrives in high-altitude areas with cool temperatures and well-draining, sandy soils.

Its natural habitat is characterized by moderate rainfall and a mix of sun and shade, making it well-adapted to withstand periods of drought and occasional frost. The compact, rosette-forming plant is well-suited to these conditions, often growing in crevices or among rocks where water drains quickly and protection from extreme elements is provided.

Characteristics

The leaves of this plant are triangular and are covered with white spikes and fine cilia, which are a common identifier of the Asphodelaceae plant family. It can grow six to nine inches tall. Its branches are covered with peach-colored flowers in the summer, which helps attract bees.

Aloe aristata is hardier than other plants in its genus, but it cannot survive in extremely cold weather. It is best to remove this plant from your garden and keep it inside during the winter season. However, keep it near a window so it can get the sunlight it needs to thrive. During the summer, it is vital to expose it to a lot of sunlight since this plant loves warmth. It will grow flowers in autumn and summer, not spring.

Planting

To plant Aloe aristata in a pot, select a container with drainage holes to prevent water buildup, which can lead to root rot. Choose a pot slightly larger than the plant’s root ball, as this aloe grows slowly and doesn’t need excessive space. Choose a well-draining potting mix – ideally a cactus or succulent soil – to prevent root rot. You can create your own by mixing regular potting soil with sand or perlite.

Place a layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom of the pot for added drainage. Position the plant in the pot, fill in around it with soil, and press gently to secure it. After planting, water the aloe lightly.

If planting directly in the ground, select a sunny to partially shaded location with sandy or gritty soil. Dig a hole just deep enough for the root system, place the plant in, and fill in around the roots, gently pressing the soil down. Water the plant sparingly after planting, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Mulching with small rocks or gravel around the base can help retain moisture and mimic the plant’s natural rocky environment.

How to Grow

Aloe aristata is easy to grow, but it needs attention to thrive. These plants are ideal indoor succulents.

Light

Aloe aristata thrives under bright light. Even if you don’t expose it to full sun at all times of the day, make sure to keep it in a lit room, potentially under grow lights. It will ultimately stop growing if it is not kept near a south-facing window for long periods of time.

Water & Humidity

When this plant is growing, watering it is necessary or it will dry out. It’s best to keep watering the soil in the pot regularly if you want the roots to remain moist. When the plant is fully grown, you should water it less often but make sure the soil doesn’t lose moisture completely.

It doesn’t need to be watered regularly as it matures, as the fleshy succulent stems and leaves store water. Try the “soak and dry” method, but make sure water doesn’t collect in the rosette of this plant.

Soil

The soil of a Lace Aloe plant shouldn’t hold too much water. Dry soil or cactus mix is more suitable and will keep the plant upright and healthy for long. To improve soil drainage, you can always add perlite, vermiculite, or pumice.

Temperature

As a houseplant, it can easily grow at room temperature and can even survive in dry weather. If you want the tips of this plant to grow flowers, it is best to keep it above 50°F (10°C) at all times. Ensure it’s placed in a location with good airflow and ample indirect sunlight to maintain its health, as it can become dormant or stressed in extreme cold or heat. By maintaining a stable environment, this hardy aloe will flourish and even produce flowers in ideal conditions.

Aloe aristata thrives in moderate to warm temperatures but is quite hardy compared to other succulents, tolerating cooler conditions as well. This aloe can withstand brief drops in temperature down to 23°F (-5°C) but is not frost-tolerant, so protection is needed if temperatures fall below freezing for extended periods. In colder climates, it’s best to grow in pots that can be moved indoors or into a greenhouse during winter.

Fertilizer

When your Aristaloe aristata grows to its mature size, fertilize at least once a month throughout the growing season. Taper off in fall and winter, as well as once it reaches its mature size.

Maintenance

It is best to repot this plant during the spring season. Make sure the pots are shallow and one size bigger than the older pot. If you repot your plant and it starts rotting, change the mixture and make sure the leaves aren’t buried too deep. A good idea is to sprinkle sand, which can prevent leaves from touching the soil. If the roots are too small, do not remove them from the plant, or they will stop growing.

You shouldn’t have to prune your lace aloe plant unless you see dead or diseased leaves. You may decide to prune away older leaves to promote healthier growth on the rest of the plant. Plants with singed or cold-damaged leaves can be pruned.

Propagation

When it matures enough, it will produce pups, which you can unearth and plant as a separate plant. To remove these pups, wait for spring, and using a butter knife, gently pry the pup out. Then plant it in new media and wait a few days to water.

Common Problems

This dwarf version of the aloe genus is pretty easy to grow, but you might run into some problems if you water it incorrectly.

Growing Problems

If you don’t water a fully grown Aloe aristata in the summer, it may wilt. Besides wilting, lack of moisture can also result in yellowing leaves. An unhealthy aloe can also have a rotating base, which will mostly happen in winter due to over-watering.

Pests

Aloe aristata plants can easily attract pests like mealybugs. These scale insects hide under the leaves and then bury themselves in the roots, destroying the whole plant. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of mealybugs.

Other scale insects can also infect this aloe. They usually infect the stem and flowers during the winter season. These pests appear as brown or white spots on the leaves.

To get rid of these insects, you can buy bug sprays or use a damp cloth to remove them manually from the stem and the leaves. You can also blast the plant with a high pressure hose, which will cause all the insects to die or scurry away in no time. Neem oil and insecticidal soap work too.

Diseases

Root rot is a risk if you overwater your aloe. If you notice a brown and mushy base, remove the plant from its pot or planting area and plant it in dry, fresh media. Wait a few days and check the base of the plant. If the problem persists, you may need to remove the entire plant.