There are many types of aloe: some do not exceed ten centimeters in height, while others grow as trees or shrubs of several meters. Its leaves, regardless of the species to which they belong, are all very similar: they are triangular in shape, fleshy, and usually have serrated margins.
These grow forming rosettes, from the center of which sprouts a floral stem in which, from its end, tubular orange, reddish or yellow flowers emerge, which attract various pollinators, including bees. But, its ornamental value is so high and its resistance to drought so interesting, that without a doubt we want you to know the 8 types of aloe that we are going to present to you next.
If you want to know which are the most suitable aloes to have in the garden or to grow in pots, note:
Aloe arborescens
El Aloe arborescens It is a shrubby species known as the octopus, acÃbar, candelabra or candelabra aloe plant. It is native to South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Reaches a height of 1-2 meters, and develops stems whose ends sprout glaucous green leaves. Its flowers are scarlet orange in color, and sprout from a stem about 60 centimeters high.
Due to the size it reaches, it must be grown in the ground and in full sun from when it is young, although it also keeps quite well in large planters approximately one meter long. Resists up to -4ºC.
Aloe aristata
Image - Wikimedia / Raulbot
El Aloe aristata, known as torch plant, is a plant native to South Africa. It does not grow much, only about 10-15 centimeters tall, and forms groups of about 30-40 centimeters wide. Its leaves are dark green with white dots. It produces orange flowers.
Being a small plant but not too much, you can have it both in pots and in the garden. He likes both the sun and the partial shade. Resists up to -2ºC.
aloe juvenna
Image - Wikimedia / Diego Delso
El aloe juvenna it is an endemic species to Kenya. Forms rosettes of leaves which sprout along the entire stem, which It reaches about 40-50 centimeters long. These leaves are small, triangular, with a toothed margin and small white dots.
This is a plant that works very well in rockery, since as it grows its stems end up falling and growing horizontally. However, it is also perfect for pots, yes, as long as it is in a sunny area. Resists up to -2ºC.
aloe maculate
El aloe maculate is an endemic species of South Africa that reaches a height of 30-40 centimeters. Its leaves are grouped in basal rosettes, and these can arise from a short stem. These leaves are green and speckled with white dots. The flowers are grouped in clusters, they are tubular and reddish in color.
In cultivation it is a very grateful plant. It likes the sun and semi-shade, and grows in pots as well as in the garden. Resists up to -3ºC.
Aloe marlothii
El Aloe marlothii, known as mountain aloe, is an endemic species to South Africa. Reaches 8 meters in height, with a solitary stem from which green to grayish-green leaves sprout with very small reddish-brown spines. Its flowers are tubular, yellow, and arise in horizontal clusters.
Its growth is slow, so we recommend keeping it in a pot at least until it forms a trunk. Put it in the sun, with substrates such as the cheekbone, and water little. Resists up to -3ºC.
Aloe polyphylla
Image - Flickr / brewbooks
El Aloe polyphylla, or spiral aloe, is a very curious species native to Lesotho that reaches 30-40 centimeters in height. Its 15-30 leaves are arranged in a spiral in five levels, and are green with the tip from which a very short reddish / yellowish spine emerges. The flowers sprout in clusters and are salmon-pink in color, sometimes yellow.
Its cultivation is very difficult, since it does not withstand cold at all and requires substrates that drain water quickly. The minimum temperature must be above 18ºC.
Aloe variegata
El Aloe variegata is an endemic plant of South Africa and Namibia that reaches a maximum height of 30 centimeters. Its leaves are fleshy, dark green and with white stripes. The flowers are orange, and sprout in clusters up to 30 inches tall.
It grows in the right way both in pots and in the garden, in an area where it does not get direct sun. It can withstand frosts down to -2ºC, but unlike other species, it grows best in partially shaded areas.
Aloe vera
Image - Wikimedia / Federico Lopez Barrachina
El Aloe vera is a crass known as aloe, acÃbar or aloe de Barbados (which is why it is also accepted as a scientific name Aloe barbadensis) what grows to 30-40 centimeters tall. It usually does not have a stem, but if it does, it will be very short, up to 30 centimeters. The leaves are green, and may have small white spots in their youth. Its flowers are yellow.
Although it is a very common plant, so that it does not have problems, the ideal is to grow it in semi-shade, either in a pot or in the garden. It can be grown all year round outdoors if the minimum temperature is down to -3ºC.
Which of these types of aloe did you like the most?