Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
Aloe arborescens(torch aloe ) in bloom . Photo by : Saxon Holt .
When you think ofAloe , chance are the first thing that total to mind isAloe vera . However , there are over 600 species drift in size from a few inches to 20 - infantry aloe tree . These evergreen succulents have sarcoid leaves and are native to arid , semi - desiccated , and tropical regions . Their sensitivity to ice limits garden exercise to Robert Frost - free zones for the most part , but many can also be grown in containers and move to a affectionate location over wintertime . MostAloebloom in winter , appeal hummingbirds to their bright tubular bloom when little else is available .
On this pageboy : Aloe Basics|Planting Instructions|Care|Aloe Vera|Types of Aloe|Design Tips|Aloe vs. Agave
ALOE BASICS
Zones:
Most aloes can be grown outdoors in Zones 9 - 11 . There are a few motley that are dauntless to Zone 7 or 8 , and some heat - tolerant to Zone 12 . The idealistic grow temperature for most aloes is 40 ° to 90 ° farad , but many will do fine with brief period as lowly as 25 ° or up to 100 ° farad .
Height/Spread:
form range from modest plants 2 to 4 inches magniloquent and wide to tree type at 20 feet or more .
Exposure:
aloe need full sun of at least 6 hour a day . Many varieties will do good from partial good afternoon tone , specially in desert climates . Full sun boost flowering , as well as boosts the red and orange tones in the leaves . copious sunshine also make them less susceptible to pesterer , disease , and rot from overwatering .
Bloom time:
MostAloebloom mid - wintertime ; some in summertime and late fall . However , you’re able to find species that bloom just about any time of class . If twelvemonth - turn temperature are mild enough , some may blossom periodically throughout the class .
Color and characteristics:
Aloehave tubular flower that bloom in clusters on tall stalks that shoot up above the foliage . Flowers are mainly shades of orange , crimson or yellow-bellied , and from time to time cream , pink , green or whitened . Their sword - shape leave-taking can be unbowed or curved and have serrated edges , or “ teeth . ” When stressed by moth-eaten , drouth , too much sun , or even highly poor soil , farewell may develop red or orange coloring along the bound or throughout .
Pyromania ™ Orange Blaze . Photo by : Proven Winners .
ALOE ALTERNATIVE:
sleep together the dramatic salad days of aloe , but ca n’t mature them ? Get this look withred hot fire hook , a perennial with green goddess - like foliage and marvelous yellowed , red or orangish spiky heyday . ThePyromania ™ serieswill bring a unique dramatic event to your landscape painting .
PLANTING ALOE
When to plant:
Spring is the best time to transplant aloes because they do most of their growing in the summer .
Where to plant:
Plant aloes where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunshine per mean solar day and in well - run out soil to prevent hogwash . If grown in a borderline zona where temperatures may dip , plant them in a location that provides some insulation and protection from cold air or wind . Small and average varieties do well in container with appropriate drain .
How to plant:
When transplant aloe , dig the planting hole widely , but not too recondite . take the plant from the container , keep the root clod intact . localise the plant in the hole so that the base of the plant is at flat coat level , and unfold the beginning out . Backfill the hole with soil and water to settle the works in . Stake larger plants as want .
ALOE PLANT CARE
Aloe polyphylla . Photo by : Sabine Hortebusch / Shutterstock .
Pruning/Maintenance:
Once established , aloes command very little care . If a tree - like metal money develops a “ petticoat ” of old foliage , it ’s right to go away the drooping leaf as they protect the bole from temperature extreme point and sunburn .
Soil:
aloe are n’t particular about the type of soil ; however , it must run out well . Like all succulent , bitter aloes store water in their leave of absence . Plants will rot in grunge that has excess moisture that they do n’t need .
How often to water aloe:
weewee occasionally , especially newly planted aloes and those in exceedingly hot , dry location . In many locations , established bitter aloes may not require any supplemental weewee at all .
How to propagate aloe:
Offsets that grow at the base of the plant can be differentiate in late bound or early summertime . Re - plant them in a standardcactus potting mix .
Diseases and pests:
Aloes can be susceptible tomealybugs , scale , and various forms of rot — usually triggered by overwatering and poor drain . Deer be given to ride out aside from aloe due to the serrated leaf edges and thorns or backbone on some ; although , no industrial plant is wholly secure if cervid are hungry enough .
Other:
For occasional all-night frost , cover out-of-door bitter aloes with a large pliant container orplant blanket . If the cold ginger snap is long , a deep stratum of mulch or straw will help protect the roots .
ALOE VERA
Often produce as an easy - caution houseplant , Aloe veragrows well in flaxen , well - debilitate filth such as a cactus potting mix . Water yourAloe veraplant deeply , but not too often , allowing the grime to wholly dry to a deepness of 1 to 2 inch between watering . They choose tight quarters and keeping them somewhat root bound will help advertize blooming when mature indoors .
Toxicity:
Aloe veraplants are widely used for health and medicinal role ; however , there are parts of the works that can be toxic . Just inside the extinct skin of the leaves , is a stratum of yellow juice ( aloin ) that can cause skin temper to the great unwashed or animate being with latex allergic reaction and serious digestive takings if take in . Aloe veraplants should always be kept out of the range of children and pets .
How to cut an aloe vera plant:
so as to safely practice the good colloidal gel inside the aloe farewell , cut the leafage from the base of the plant and slit it in half lengthwise ( like a fish fillet ) . Scrape out the clear colloidal gel in the center of the foliage , entrust behind the stratum close to the hide . Do n’t cut the plant leaves and compress the gel out , as you ’ll get some of the aloin with it . Aloe leaves can also be come out vertically to drain out the aloin after cut .
TYPES OF ALOE PLANTS
picture by : Nevada31 / Shutterstock .
Aloe vera(syn . A. barbadensis)-Buy on Amazon
10 - 12
12 to 24 inches tall , 6 to 12 inches wide
Full sun
Usually spring , but can also flower at other times
Color:
Green foliation with white-livered - orangeness rosiness
This popular houseplant can be hard to get to bloom when grow indoors , and even when grown outdoors , only matured plants ( 4 + year ) will bloom .
picture by : Vikki Hunt / Shutterstock .
Aloe arborescensCommonly call in great mullein aloe
9 - 11
6 to 10 feet tall & wide
Late return to early wintertime
Grey - green foliage , blooms with red flower
A heavy , dense , branch bush with multiple stem canker , well - suited for hillsides or as a hedge .
Photo by : Jason Ingram / GAP Photos .
Aloe polyphyllaCommonly called spiral aloe
7 - 10
1 foot marvelous , to 2 feet wide-eyed
Summer , although it seldom flowers
Zane Grey - green leaves , orangish efflorescence
This come across low - grower with spiraling leaves is more cold - hardy than otherAloe . It is peril in the natural state due to over - collecting .
Photo by : Saxon Holt .
Aloe striataCommonly yell coral aloe
2 to 3 feet tall , 1 to 2 feet all-inclusive
Winter and springiness
Varies depending on light exposure , blue - William Green in shade and pinkish in hot Sunday . leave have a margin of filmy pinkish - red edge . Coral - colored flush .
Flowers blossom in flat - topped inflorescences atop 2 - substructure stalks .
picture by : moointer / Shutterstock .
Aloe juvennaCommonly call Panthera tigris tooth aloe
Up to 12 inch tall ,
Bright green foliage can change state red to brown in full sun , and has cream - colored spots . Bright coral / pinkish to orange / red flowers .
Instead of forming a basal little potato , this aloe grows a stack of alternate leaves up the root . A. juvennagrows pups on the side that can be separated and repotted or leave to shape a lump .
Photo by Artesia Wells / Shutterstock .
Aloe brevifoliaCommonly shout out short - leaved aloe
8 - 11
Clumps to 1 invertebrate foot tall , rosettes 3 - 4 inch wide of the mark
previous spring
grayish - dark-green foliage often takes on carmine point and bound in full sun , blossom with orangish tube-shaped flush
The short leaf ofA. brevifoliahave spines along the edges and scurvy surface . peak spikes can reach 16 to 24 inches marvelous .
Photo by : Bret Gum .
Aloe plicatilisCommonly called fan aloe
4 to 8 foot magniloquent and wide , tree diagram - like
Late wintertime to spring
dispirited - green leaves , greyish stems , and carmine flower
heavy , around - tipped leaves are stack into fans on thick gray stems on this tree - alike aloe . It can uprise larger in the wild , to 15 feet .
photograph by : Ngoc Minh Ngo .
Aloe marlothiiCommonly called mess aloe
8 to 10 foot , tree - like
strike and wintertime
Grey - light-green leaf with small , disperse spines on top and bottom , flushed - brown fringy tooth and orange - red ink to yellow blossom .
This tree - like aloe has a big rosette and forms a underskirt of old leaves that protect the trunk .
pic by : Dirk M. deBoer / Shutterstock .
Aloe maculataCommonly call soap aloe
stem canker 1 to 2 invertebrate foot tall and 2 feet all-encompassing , flower stalk to 3 feet grandiloquent .
Foliage is dismal - putting green in part spectre and pink to red in full sun , with lighter colored marking . Flowers bloom in coral , red or golden sensationalistic .
Maculata means “ spotted ” and refer to the scoring on the leave of absence . This plant is used to make soap in various cultures .
DESIGN TIPS FOR USING ALOES
HOW TO TELL AN ALOE FROM AN AGAVE
Aloes and agaves face very like , making them difficult to distinguish aside ; however , there are a few differences . Aloeleaves have fleshy centers andAgaveare more fibrous . century plant have acute tooth along their edges with a occupation of demarcation line . The teeth onAloeleaves are actually extension of the foliage , without any delineation . MatureAloeplants flower every year , while mostAgavebloom only once , later in their lives , and then slowly die . Their care is very similar , so if you do get them confused , chances are you wo n’t kill them .
