Aloe Species

Vegetatively this plant looks different from the other forms of Aloe capitata, particulaly as it ages. But even when young, this one ten...Read Moreds to have shinier greener leaves and is definitely a slower growing plant, requiring I think full sun to be truly happy while the other forms will grow happily in some shade. As it matures, it develops a trunk, up over 5' tall (up to 12' in Madagascar), though at current rate of growth in my garden I dont really expect to live long enough to see much of any trunk at all. It is a nice, attractive seedling, though.

2011 Aloe of Madagascar book gives this a new species, Aloe cipolinicola, which makes a lot of sense to me.

This species doesn't thrive in excessive heat like that experienced in the Phoenix area during the summer. It seems these higher elevati...Read Moreon Malagasy Aloes (inexpectata, droseroides, pronkii, conifera, madecassa, capitata var. cipolinicola, cryptoflora, etc.) suffer "heat rot" when the temperatures are consistently at, near or above 110 degrees. They're used to cooler temperatures in their native habitat and tend to fail after a few years unless kept indoors or in a greenhouse with a cooling system in Phoenix. It will love California much more!

A. cipolinicola has been elevated to species status. It is a tree aloe. I have grown this from seed here and it is a great plant. it flo...Read Morewers in cold wet months and is brought into greenhouse when it is flowering.

With light the leaf margins are bright red with armor. The flower is capitate form.