Aloe striatula (14 cm pot)

Genus of 300 species of perennial evergreens with small to large rosettes of leaves. Some are shrub-like, a few arborescent. They can be found at various altitudes in the Cape Verde Islands, in tropical and southern Africa, in Madagascar and in the Arabian Peninsula. Aloe striatula is a bushy succulent. Over the years the plants lignify at the base and bear numerous rosettes at the tips of the branches. The tufts can reach 2 m in height and 3 m in diameter. The dark green, slightly succulent leaves are up to 20 cm long with finely toothed, non-prickly margins. At the end of summer and beginning of autumn the rosettes form numerous apical inflorescences, very decorative, 40-60 cm high with yellow tubular flowers. These flowers are heavily visited by bees in autumn.

Pedoclimatic needs

It requires sandy and well-drained soil. It should be grown in full sun or partial shade. It adapts to being grown both in pots and in the ground or in flowerbeds. This species is partially rustic and tolerates short frosts down to -6°/-8 °C. Thanks to its rusticity it can also be grown in the olive climate in favorable microclimates with well-ventilated southern exposures. It is not uncommon to find it acclimated outdoors even in central Italy. Damp, stagnant cold damages it the most.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Aloe striatula

Family: Asphodelaceae