Lace Aloe

Aloe aristata is one of the most garden-worthy Aloes for UK enthusiasts due to its relative cold tolerance. It forms dense, low-growing rosettes of dark green leaves covered in small white bumps and edged with fine, soft white teeth. Each leaf tip ends in a characteristic long, translucent awn or 'whisker', which gives the plant its 'lace' moniker. In early summer, it sends up orange, tubular flowers on branched stems that are highly attractive to bees. While it can survive outdoors in a very sheltered, dry spot in the south of the UK (with H3/H4 hardiness), it is most commonly grown in pots that can be protected from winter rain. Success with this plant depends on excellent drainage; a high proportion of grit or perlite in the soil mix is essential. It offsets freely, eventually forming attractive cushions of rosettes that can be easily divided to create new plants.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Sharply drained, gritty loam.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: MayInternal, Jun, Jul.