Tiger Aloe (Aloe variegata)

El Aloe variegata is one of the most curious succulents: it is quite small, which makes it particularly interesting to grow in a pot throughout its life, its leaves have very nice whitish bands, and also, unlike most species of the genus, prefers to be in semi-shade.

It is not complicated to maintain, although it is always good to have a care guide. So to make it easier for you to have it healthy, below we will offer you many cultivation tips.

Origin and characteristics of Aloe variegata

Known as tiger aloe or variegated aloe, this precious little plant is endemic to South Africa and Namibia. It has between 18 and 24 leaves that are triangular, fleshy, dark green with whitish irregular bands, and they have a size of 10 to 15 centimeters in length by 3 to 6 centimeters in width. Its flowers are grouped in clusters 20 to 30 centimeters high, they are tubular and reddish-orange in color. The total height, not including the flower stem, is about 30 inches.

Its growth rate is not very fast; Even with the best care and in an area with mild weather year-round, it can be hard to see changes from month to month.

What are the care it requires?

If you want to have a copy, we advise you to take care of it as follows:

Location

• Exterior: The Aloe variegata it will be fine in semi-shade, as well as under a shading mesh.
• Interior: by not requiring as much light as other aloes, this species can be indoors as long as the room is bright; that is, you can see well in it during the day without having to turn on the electric light. But be careful, don't put the plant right in front of the window as it will burn; it is better to set aside, and rotate the pot every day in order to achieve uniform growth.

Earth

• Flower pot: the more porous the substrate, the better its roots will be. Drainage must be excellent, as it does not resist waterlogging. For this reason, it is preferable to use pumice rather than peat; Now, if you mix universal substrate with perlite in equal parts, it will not grow badly, although you will have to control the watering.
• Garden: make a planting hole of about 50cm x 50cm, and fill it with pumice and then plant the aloe there.

Irrigation

Very little. During the warmest and driest season of the year it may be necessary to water about 2 times a week, but the rest of the year with a weekly or even biweekly watering will be enough.

If in doubt, check the humidity of the substrate or soil, for example with a thin wooden stick or, if it is in a pot, weighing it once watered and again after a few days. Do not put a plate under it, unless you always remember to remove any excess water 30 minutes after watering.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer it is very interesting to pay to Aloe variegata with fertilizers for cacti (on sale No products found.), following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and suckers in spring-summer:

Seeds

The seeds it is advisable to sow them in trays with holes filled with cactus soil (on sale No products found.), so that they are not too close together. In this sense, the ideal is to put a few in each seedbed, since this way when they grow and it is time to separate them, it will be easier for many to overcome the transplant.

Place everything outside, in semi-shade, and keep the substrate slightly damp. In this way, they will germinate in about 10 days.

Young

El Aloe variegata usually produces some suckers, which can be separated when they have reached a size of about 5 centimeters, and plant in individual pots with pomx.

Planting or transplanting time

Whether you want to plant it in the garden or change the pot, do it in spring when the minimum temperature is higher than 15 degrees centigrade.

It should not be done before since the plant would have a bad time. You have to think that it is originally from a place where the climate is warm all year round, so it is not good to expose it to the cold.

Plagues and diseases

It is quite vulnerable to snails. During the rainy season it is important to take measures so that these animals do not eat their leaves.

In addition, if you water excessively, the fungi will rot their roots, so do not hesitate to check the humidity whenever you consider it necessary.

Rusticity

From my own experience I will tell you that resists weak and occasional frosts down to -2ºC, but only if the soil or substrate is very dry, and only if those frosts are of very short duration. Even so, if you can protect it indoors until spring arrives, it will grow healthier and more beautiful.

Where to buy?

It is common in nurseries and garden stores, but if you have trouble locating it, you can get it from here: