37 Different Types of Aloe Plants With Names and Pictures
Are you thinking of growing aloe indoors or outdoors, but aren't sure where to start? There are many different types of aloe to choose from, depending on how you plan to grow it. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss walks through the different aloe types you can add to your indoor or outdoor garden.
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When you think of aloe, you may think of a slick green gel to slather on sunburn for its soothing effect. Or maybe you’ve noticed it in the ingredient list of a favorite skin product, and in liquid form on the shelves of your local health food store.
Aloe is more than just a useful skin care and medicinal product though, it’s also a low-maintenance succulent plant that can be grown in the garden, as well as making a great houseplant. In fact, it is known to release a large amount of oxygen at night, leading to more restful sleep for those who keep it indoors.
This beautiful and varied genus contains a multitude of stunning succulents that produce gorgeous flowers at varied times of the year. They encompass a wide range of sizes, structures, and colors. With more than 250 species, there is an aloe plant for everyone. Here are some of the most popular varieties of aloe, with names and pictures of each!
African Aloe
botanical name Aloe africana | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red, Orange, and Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 6-8 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
African Aloe is a slow-growing, tree-like species of aloe. The leaves of this species are somewhat messy and disorganized, curving in different directions. Each leaf is edged with small red tinged teeth.
Growing on the eastern Cape of South Africa, it takes this aloe 4 or 5 years to reach maturity and flower. When it does, it sends up a large, multi-branched spike, each bearing hundreds of bright orange, tubular-shaped flowers that turn up at the ends.
Aloe Vera
botanical name Aloe barbadensis Miller | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange and Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 2-3.5 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This may not come as a surprise, but Aloe Vera is the most common type of aloe used in medicinal and cosmetic products. Its healing properties are used for many purposes from sunburn to digestive issues. It is not cold hardy but can be grown very successfully as a houseplant.
The leaves are bright green, and fleshy and grow in an organized rosette pattern. These leaves are long, thin, and arched, usually ending in a point.
Although it rarely blooms indoors, this species does produce flowers. Leaving it outdoors in the warmer months will help it to produce blooms. The flower spikes are tall (up to 3 feet) and topped with brilliant yellow flowers.
Arabian Aloe
botanical name Aloe rubroviolacea | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 2-3 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This beautiful ornamental aloe hails from the Arabian Peninsula, from which it derives its name. Thick, fleshy leaves are pale green when young and in full sun, they take on a reddish tinge. As they age, the color intensifies to red-violet in cooler temperatures. The growth pattern is an organized rosette that often grows sideways making the top of the plant visible to passersby.
In winter, Arabian Aloe produces tall, unbranched spikes. The flowers are large clusters of orange to red blooms that taper at the end. Its color variation and flowers make this a very showy addition to the garden, and the winter-blooming habit is wonderful.
Bitter Aloe
botanical name Aloe ferox | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red, Orange, Pink, Yellow, White, Red/White, and Orange/Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 6-10 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-12 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Bitter Aloe is a large species known for its brilliant flowers and large colorful leaves. The leaves are thick at the base and taper to points. The color is pale green with a blush at the ends and curved red barbs along the edges. The leaves can grow up to 3’ long.
Each plant can produce many flower spikes, which are topped with large clusters of attractive, deep orange flowers. This highly adaptable species is used in cosmetics and supplements, as well as being very attractive to nectar-loving birds.
Candelabra
botanical name Aloe arborescens | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange, Yellow, and Orange-Red/Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 7-9 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Also known as torch aloe for the fiery appearance of its inflorescences, this large, toothy species has a fierce appearance. In the past, it has been used medicinally in its native South Africa. Today it is commonly used as a fence to secure animals.
This species will reproduce and spread creating a hedge if allowed in outdoor gardens. It also makes an excellent addition to raised planters and is very drought-tolerant. Its flower spikes appear in winter and hold clusters of striking orange blooms.
Cape Speckled Aloe
botanical name Aloe microstigma | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red/Orange, Red, and Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 1-2 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This pretty species has some interesting characteristics that add to its year-round interest. Cape Speckled Aloe is a medium-sized variety with an organized rosette growth pattern. The leaves are chartreuse when they first appear and then flush with a reddish color that deepens when the plant experiences environmental stress.
Adding to their unique appearance, the leaves are coated in white speckles and edged with red teeth. This species is known for its blooms in particular. In the spring, each plant produces several spikes, topped with flaming inflorescences. The flowers bloom orange and fade to yellow, giving the appearance of torches,
Carmine
botanical name Aloe ‘Carmine’ | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade | |
water needs Low | |
height 10 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This striking hybrid is small but dynamic. Deep gray-green leaves are short, deeply channeled, and slightly curved.
They are also spotted and have many teeth, both of which show up in a brilliant, almost neon-orange color. Carmine rarely blooms but can send out thin spikes topped with red blooms in the summertime.
Clanwilliam
botanical name Aloe comosa | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Pinkish Ivory | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 8-10 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Clanwilliam Aloe is a species that is considered a tree aloe. There is one central trunk with no branches that grows high up in the air. It is a plentiful plant in its native South Africa, where it is sometimes cultivated for human use.
The leaves are long and thick, growing to be about 2 feet, and curve upward. This species has sharp brown-red teeth along the margins and needs to be handled with care.
Climbing Aloe
botanical name Aloiampelos ciliaris | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 30+ feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This type of aloe can bloom year-round, but the most common time to see flowers on this species is in spring. This rapid-growing aloe can be grown indoors and out but needs to be next to a brightly lit window when kept as a houseplant. Climbing Aloe can also tolerate more shade than most species.
It produces tall flower spikes with pointed clusters of bright orange-red flowers. These flowers can show up any time of year. Be careful if moving this species outdoors in the summer. Give it time to acclimate by not placing it in direct full sun right away, as this can cause sunburn.
Coral Aloe
botanical name Aloiampelos ciliaris | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 16-18 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Coral Aloe is a stunning way to add color to your winter garden. This smooth-leaved species is hardy and easy to care for. It is unlike other aloe types in that it will not grow offsets, so it does not spread, but rather grows to about 2 feet tall and stops. This makes it a great container plant.
The pretty blue-green leaves are edged with a coral color that matches its flowers. In winter, Coral Aloe sends up a branching flower spike about 3 feet tall. Clusters of coral red, tubular flowers have a weeping appearance as they turn slightly downward.
Crosby’s Prolific Aloe
botanical name Aloe Crosby’s Prolific | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Bright Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 6-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 10-12 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This miniature hybrid variety is an attractive, clumping aloe with deep green, speckled leaves. It truly is a prolific plant, as it will quickly create offsets and form a nice mound of 6”-12” plants. Crosby’s is easy to grow and isn’t picky about sunlight or soil.
Because of its spreading habit, Crosby’s can be a great flower producer in a short amount of time. In spring, each plant sends up an 18-inch spike of fiery orange-red, tubular flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to these striking inflorescences,
Fan Aloe
botanical name Aloe plicatilis | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 4-8 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-12 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Fan Aloe has a unique leaf formation. Rather than the usual rosette form that is standard to aloe species, Fan Aloe’s leaves are, you guessed it, in a fan formation. The long, flat blue-green leaves curve toward the center of the fan structure and are tipped with a coral color.
Another unique characteristic of this plant, its spent leaves fall to the ground rather than remaining on the plant, revealing a smooth gray trunk. With many of these fan-shaped structures on the tree, each one producing its own spike of bright red flowers, this tree-like aloe puts on a spectacle in late winter.
Gold Tooth
botanical name Aloe nobilis | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Bright Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 6-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This spreading, medium-sized aloe species gets its name from the many sharp, golden spines on the margins of its leaves.
Growing to about 1 foot tall and wide, Gold Tooth eagerly sends out offsets, quickly forming clusters of balanced rosettes. Its moderate size makes it ideal for containers and raised beds which can help contain the spread.
Gold Tooth produces lots of tall flower spikes in spring that have a nice, long blooming cycle. The flowers are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Haworthia-leaved Aloe
botanical name Aloe haworthioides | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Pink, White, Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 3-4 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This small, fast-growing aloe has a year-round appeal with its showy leaves. Often confused with being a variety of haworthia, this plant belongs to the Aloe genus. Actual haworthia does not.
This variety is small, with a tightly organized rosette leaf structure. The leaves are dark green and covered with white spots and hairlike structures, giving them a fuzzy appearance. The flower spikes on this plant are small and inconspicuous, appearing in summer and lasting into the fall.
Jemen
botanical name Aloe squarrosa | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Coral-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 35-36 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This species is only one out of three that are native to the island of Socotra in Jemen. It is often confused with Tiger Tooth Aloe, Aloe juvenna, as they look very similar.
Although fairly short, this species is a showstopper in terms of texture and leaf pattern. Reaching only about 12 inches tall by maturity, the bright green and often spotted leaves are thick and curve outward. There are white spiky teeth that border the edges.
Jemen, also spelled Yemen, is very drought and heat tolerant once established, and as a result, very low maintenance. It goes dormant in the winter and grows actively in the spring and summer months.
Lace Aloe
botanical name Aloe aristata | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 4-5 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-10 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Lace Aloe has a similar look to Haworthia-leaved Aloe. It has small, deep green leaves that are covered in white speckles. This species is frost hardy, an unusual characteristic for aloe. It produces pink flowers late in the summer which are attractive to hummingbirds and bees.
Malagasy Tree Aloe
botanical name Aloe vaombe | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 11-12 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This very tall growing aloe species reaches 8’-12’ tall at maturity. These tall, single rosettes of thick green leaves flush red in winter or when they are exposed to a lot of sunlight, making them a particularly showy and fun aloe.
The bright color of the leaves in winter, paired with the tall flower spikes covered in brilliant red blooms make this a spectacular plant in the winter garden.
Massawana
botanical name Aloe massawana | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red and Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 2-3 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Massawana is often mistaken for Aloe Vera because of their similar appearance. They grow in a tight rosette and the fleshy leaves grow upward, so they vaguely resemble a fan formation. The leaves are green with white markings and intermittent white teeth along the margins.
The flower spikes from this succulent can be simple or branched, appearing in late winter, and lasting into spring. Small torch-like bursts of red blooms appear atop the spikes and attract hummingbirds. This species is threatened due to urban development in its native habitat.
Mazambron
botanical name Aloe tormentorii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red-Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 18-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This is an aloe you won’t find in stores. One of only two types of aloe native to Mauritius and endemic to the island, Mazambron has some unique characteristics that set it apart from its spiny cousins.
This aloe has smooth pointed leaves that reach upward in a tight rosette formation. These leaves are green but can take on a blush when exposed to a lot of direct sunlight.
The flower spikes are tall and branched, generally 3-7 branches each. Each branch is topped with an inflorescence of salmon-colored blooms that fade to yellow over time. These flowers are pollinated by tiny geckos and produce fruit which is a main food source for an endemic species of skink on the island.
Mountain Aloe
botanical name Aloe marlothii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Bright Orange, Yellow, or Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 8-10 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This huge species of aloe grows up to 10 feet tall at maturity, one of the largest! It grows on a central stem. The leaves are dotted with reddish spines and grow in an upward fashion giving it the look of a giant artichoke.
The large gray-green leaves leave a skirt around the base as they dry out. When planted in zones 9-11, Mountain Aloe is extremely drought tolerant and needs little to no irrigation.
Multi-branched flower crowns appear at the top in fall and winter, rivaling the entire width of the plant. These branches are coated with golden orange, tubular flowers. The overall effect is quite dramatic.
Red Aloe
botanical name Aloe cameronii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Bright Orange-Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-12 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Red Aloe is widely thought to be one of the most attractive of the aloes. Its loose rosettes of curving leaves reveal a beautiful blend of colors, from bright lime green in the center, to a rich rust color at the ends. The amount of sun and water this plant receives affects the colors, making them show more, or less red,
This species multiplies and has a mounding habit. Each plant sends up an impressive spike at the end of autumn. The top of the spikes has a cone-shaped cluster of bright orange, tubular flowers.
Red Hot Poker
botanical name Aloe aculeata | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Yellow to Red-Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 8-10 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Aptly named for its imposing, flaming red plume of flowers, Red Hot Poker Aloe is a favorite among butterflies and hummingbirds.
The large, fleshy leaves are a pretty, turquoise color and curve upward to create a large bowl-shaped structure. This is a large and lovely ornamental variety.
Rubble
botanical name Aloe mitriformis/perfoliata | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height up to 6 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
One of the very few species with a creeping habit, Rubble Aloe also has the less common habit of blooming in the summer. As they grow, these aloes creep along the ground, over rocks and only the leaf-bearing head stands up away from the earth, facing toward the sun. The summer blooming flowers are bright red pom poms of tubular flowers atop long branching flower spikes.
Sand
botanical name Aloe hereroensis | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Brownish-Orange, Pink | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Sand Aloe is a medium to large-sized plant that grows in sandy, rocky terrain. The long tapering leaves form a loose rosette and curve upward. The leaves can vary in color depending on the climate and sun exposure from a pale green to bronze.
This species has a truly wonderful flowering habit. It is a winter bloomer, and a single plant sends up a many-branched inflorescence. Each branch is topped with a ball-shaped cluster of large, red, tubular flowers.
Short-Leaf
botanical name Aloe brevifolia | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This pretty, clumping aloe is prized for its colorful nature and neat, attractive leaf formation. The short, broad leaves form a tight rosette which is pale blue in light shade, and full sun turns the tips and edges shades of yellow and coral while the center maintains its blue shade, creating a wonderful rainbow of colors.
The margins of the leaves are edged with curved white teeth and a row of these teeth travels up the back of each leaf as well.
One plant can quickly turn into a neat little mound of rosettes, each one sending up a flower spike in spring. The flowers are a burst of tubular, coral-colored blooms. This is a very colorful and highly sought-after species.
Snake
botanical name Aloe broomii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Yellow-Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 3-4 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This species is highly coveted as an ornamental plant, and it’s not hard to see why. Its neatly organized rosette of short, bright green leaves looks very intentional, and clean. The leaves are edged with deep red, curved teeth which create a nice, stitched appearance all over the plant. Snake Aloe is frost resistant and can tolerate both arid and semi-arid regions.
Snake Aloe is generally solitary but occasionally will send out an offset or two. The most noteworthy characteristic of these plants, as well as where they get their name, are their inflorescences. The flowers are yellow but completely obscured by extended bracts, which have a snake-like appearance.
Soap
botanical name Aloe maculata | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Coral Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 10-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 8-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
While Snake Aloe hides its flowers, Soap Aloe brandishes them, and they make quite a statement. Its thick leaves are covered in white spots and have white toothy edges. When given shade, the leaves are a deep bluish-green, and in full sun they take on a pink blush.
In spring, the plant sends up a tall (up to 3 feet) branched inflorescence, topped by large sprays of tubular red flowers. The flowers can last from late winter until the end of spring and are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Spider
botanical name Aloe humilis | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red-Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-20 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Spider Aloe is a dwarf species that makes a nice houseplant, as it will remain rather small. From above it has a pretty starburst shape to its neatly organized, slender leaves.
The leaves are blue-green and covered with white speckles and have a tendency to curve upward a bit at the ends. Each plant sends up multiple stems topped with a sprinkling of bright reddish-orange flowers.
Spiral
botanical name Aloe polyphylla | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red, Salmon Pink | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 10-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 7-10 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Another aloe that is prized for its ornamental value, Spiral Aloe is positively captivating. Its thick, blue-green leaves are tipped with a purple-to-brown color and grow in a tight, very organized spiral. Growing to about 2 feet wide, each spiral contains between 15 and 30 leaves, and the spirals can run clockwise, or counterclockwise.
It has become difficult to find and expensive due to high demand, so if you come across one, consider yourself fortunate.
The flower spike grows from the edges of this species, which is nice as it doesn’t dislodge the tight inner leaves. It is branching and topped with sprays of tubular, pink, and orange flowers in the springtime.
Stone
Scientific Name: Aloe petricola
botanical name Aloe petricola | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Red, Orange, and Greenish-White | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 18-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Stone Aloe is a slow-growing and slow-spreading species that has an interesting bowl-shaped growth habit, making it a nice, well-contained specimen for planting in the ground in a succulent garden or in xeriscaping.
The long, pointed leaves are grayish-green and take on a blush color at the tips. They have some teeth along the edges, but they are not dense or uniform.
This species sends up multiple flower spikes in the summertime, which, in bud, are bright yellow to red at the ends. The buds open to reveal pale yellow to green flowers that bear fruit when they drop. This is another type of aloe that is used in cosmetic and medicinal preparations.
Sunset
botanical name Aloe dorotheae | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Salmon Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 10-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 10-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Bright and beautiful, Sunset Aloe gets its name from the blend of bright colors that show up when it is exposed to lots of sunlight.
So this is an aloe that you will want to place in a sunny space. The leaves are shiny, curved, toothy, and bright yellowish green in part shade. When exposed to lots of light, they turn a brilliant ombre of green to gold to red at the ends.
This aloe creates lots of offsets and quickly forms a bright, cheerful colony. Single, unbranched flower spikes pop up in winter and are topped with salmon-colored flowers that fade to yellowish green at the ends.
Tiger
botanical name Gonialoe variegata | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Orange | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 8-10 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This member of the genus Gonialoe was formerly considered an aloe, so I include it for its appearance and similarity to the genus and its name, even though it is not, technically, an aloe.
Also known as Partridge Breast Aloe, this medium-sized plant grows in an organized rosette and dark green leaves with a pretty, variegated striped pattern in white.
Each plant can send up multiple, single-branched flower spikes. It will bloom in summer outside. However, when kept as a houseplant, it is more likely to bloom in winter. The spikes are short and peppered, and this succulent blooms with orange tubular flowers.
Tiger Tooth
botanical name Aloe juvenna | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Coral Pink | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 10-12 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
The stunning Tiger Tooth Aloe has a fun, towering growth habit. It is a clumping aloe that will send out offshoots, creating a cluster of these tall, thin towers of short, plump, toothy leaves.
The leaves are bright green with white speckling, and they will blush when exposed to full sun. Tiger Tooth rarely blooms. But when it does bloom, the flowers are coral-colored and appear in late summer.
Tilt-Head
botanical name Aloe speciosa | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Green and White | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 8-10 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
Large and impressive are words to describe this species. It is a member of the group known as “Tree Aloes” as it grows up to 10 feet tall and forms a thick trunk that holds the large, silvery green head. This head is a rosette of long convex leaves that tilts to the side making it more visible to onlookers.
Tilt-head is cold hardy to 20°. In spring it produces 2-feet flower spikes covered in buds that open into green and white striped flowers. The flower’s bright red stamens make this plant very attractive to hummingbirds.
Tree Aloe
botanical name Aloe barberae | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Yellow-Red, Salmon Pink | |
sun requirements Full Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 60 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This is the official Tree Aloe. With the ability to grow up to 30 feet tall, it is the largest of the aloes. A central trunk gives way to gracefully sloping, gray-barked branches.
The tops of the branches each hold a convex rosette of long, narrow green leaves. This is an exotic-looking aloe that does well in gardens where other succulents thrive.
The tree grows into a nice rounded, sculptural shape, and in winter, each rosette produces a short flower spike. The cone-shaped inflorescences are pink in bud and bloom to bright orange making this a beautiful, ornamental tree.
Van Balen’s Aloe
botanical name Aloe vanbalenii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Yellow, Orange-Yellow | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Sun | |
water needs Low | |
height 12-24 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
This low-maintenance aloe resembles everyone’s favorite marine mollusk, the octopus! It is easy to grow and readily puts out offsets. The rosettes are made up of deeply channeled, outward-curving leaves in bright yellow-green that blush at the ends in full sun.
In early spring, unbranched flower spikes pop up and clusters of yellow to orange flowers bloom, attracting nectar-loving birds and pollinators.
White Fox
botanical name Aloe rauhii | |
plant type Succulent | |
bloom colors Coral Pink | |
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade | |
water needs Low | |
height 2-6 inches | |
hardiness zones 9-11 | |
soil needs Loose, Well-draining |
White Fox, also called Snowflake Aloe, is a dwarf species of aloe. It makes a wonderful, low-maintenance house plant. Its green leaves are stippled with white markings which become more pronounced with lots of light.
This species has sap that people use medicinally to treat burns. White Fox is not a frequent bloomer. But when it does bloom, the flowers are yellow to orange and show up in the late spring.
Final Thoughts
These wonderful succulents with their habit of blushing in the sun and sending up big, brilliant inflorescences that draw nectar-loving birds are a joy to have and behold. Whether nestled in the garden or perched on a sunny windowsill, Aloes are a terrific group of plants that are easy to grow and maintain.