The lace aloe, Aloe aristata, is a low-growing evergreen perennial native to South Africa. It forms rosettes of fleshy, lance-shaped, softly spined green leaves with white spots. In autumn tubular, orange-red flowers appear on long stems. Although hardier than many aloes, it's best grown as a houseplant or in a greenhouse.
Aloe aristata grows best in full sun, in sandy, free-draining compost, such as cactus compost. Water sparingly and avoid watering in the dormant period (September to March).
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
Aloe and wildlife
Aloe has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
