Aloe striata

Aloe striata Haw. var. oligospila Baker, Aloe albocincta Haw., Aloe hanburiana Naudin, Aloe paniculata Jacq., Aloe rhodocincta, Aloe albocincta

Coral Aloe

Aloeaceae

Originally from the dry areas of the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, growing from 800 to 7,300 feet in elevation.

1 Gallon

2-3'

1-2'

25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C

Very high

Full sun

Very drought tolerant, but some summer irrigation will keep leaves looking fuller.

Remove spent flower stalks and offsets as desired.

Aloe striata is a great plant for dry beds and borders. Perfect in succulent and cactus gardens and a nice contrast to low-flowing grasses. Flowers attract nectar-loving birds and insects. Does well in containers too. Works well near walkways and swimming pools as it has no teeth or spines.

Remove and replant rare offsets. Collect seed after flowering and sow directly in well-drained soil covered lightly with fine sand.

Occasional problems with aloe mite on the flowers.

Aloe striata forms a medium-sized rosette of fleshy, blue-green, lightly striped leaves which blush pink in cooler weather or when the plant is under stress. This is a fast growing aloe in Southern California. Aloe striata will develop from a small seedling to a mature 2-foot flowering plant in two years. Being quite adaptable to most conditions, from shady/moist to full sun, hot and dry, it is very useful in many garden situations. The leaves of the true species (there are several hybrids masquerading as Aloe striata as well) are untoothed and smooth, generally bluish-green with some blotchy stripes of darker hue running down the leaf's center. This aloe also has very attractive red-orange flowers, and blooms in late winter to early spring. The flowers are held, all at the same level, on many branched stalks and brighten the garden for up to three months from winter to spring.