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Aloe is a great option for those who want to have a succulent plant that is as pretty as it is hardy. And it is that the plants of this family are extraordinarily strong, having the ability to thrive in a wide spectrum of temperatures: from hot climates with direct sun exposure to temperatures close to zero degrees. For all this, aloe is ideal if you are a beginner in the care of succulent plants.
In this Green Ecologist article we give you a brief guide to the care of aloe aristata and what are its main characteristics.
Characteristics of the aloe aristata or torch plant
Aloe are a whole genus of the family of Xanthorrhoeaceae, with about 500 species of succulent plants, such as aloe vera, aloe brevifolia, aloe variegata, aloe saponaria and aloe aristata, which we talk about here.
The aloe aristata, also know as torch plant, It comes from South Africa and is recognized by its arrangement in small rosettes of no more than 30 cm, as well as by its triangular dark green leaves, with serrated edges and covered with thorns.
The flowers of this plant, which when sprouting in summer are grouped into terminal inflorescences, are also very rich in nectar, which is why they are a good way to attract birds or bees to the area.
Discover more Types of succulent plants in this other Green Ecologist article.
Aloe aristata: basic care
Despite the strong and resilient nature of the torch plant, there are some guides that must be taken into account to have it in the best possible condition. Follow these gardening tips on the basic care of aloe aristata:
Brightness and location
Aloe aristata is very comfortable to full sun or partially shaded areas in case you live in a very hot climate. For this reason, it is suitable for both outdoor gardens and indoor pots, as long as the latter are kept next to windows or sources of natural light.
Temperature
It is a plant mainly of warm weather, so it resists the sun and high temperatures very well. Even so, if you are going to plant your aloe outdoors and you live in a particularly hot area, the plant will appreciate a semi-shadow zone. Regarding the cold, it withstands temperatures close to zero degrees, but it is not suitable for soils that get to freeze.
Substrate and soil
This plant is particularly comfortable in sandy and dry soils, since what it needs is a good drainage that does not accumulate excess moisture in its roots. If you have it in a pot, putting a layer of gravel at the base of the pot and another on the surface will help the plant stay away from excess moisture. You can pay it in spring and summer with Compost for cactus or succulent plants if you want to give it an extra boost of vitality.
Irrigation
Since it is a dry climate plant, aloe aristata does not need more than 2 or 3 weekly irrigations at most. Of course, it is important that, if you have it in a pot, you do not put a plate under the drainage of this and, if it is necessary to do so, you always remember to empty it of the excess water after irrigation. Excess moisture is the worst enemy of this plant, so be especially careful with this.
In this other post from Green Ecologist we talk about How to water succulent plants.
Transplant
Aloe aristata requires a annual transplant, as is the case with most plants. The transplant operation is not more dangerous than with any other, and it is simply recommended to completely clean the previous substrate from its roots to ensure that possible pests are removed from it.
Here we explain everything about transplanting a plant: when and how to do it.
Multiplication
If you want to multiply your aloe it is very easy to do it with its young. Simply carefully remove them from the mother plant and let them root in another pot or area, always with good drainage, and where it receives natural but not direct light.
Sowing
Finally, if you want to plant your own aloe aristata seeds, the most suitable season for this is at the end of spring. You should not plant it too deeply to avoid the dreaded excess water that will prevent it from thriving.
Pests and diseases of aloe aristata
Although it is not very common, aloe aristata can suffer from the attack of the scale insect, commonly known as Woodlouse. When this happens, the insects settle in the slots and narrow spaces between the leaves, making their extraction somewhat difficult. The use of tweezers or spatulas is recommended for this. In addition, a suitable pesticide or nasturtium infusion, which sprayed on the plant will help clean it of these parasites.
However, and as we have already mentioned before, the worst enemies of aloe aristata are undoubtedly excessive moisture and rot that this entails, in addition to the appearance of fungi. To prevent this from happening, you should ensure a well-draining soil or pot and, if the roots stick out of the drainage holes in the pot, transplant it to a larger one immediately.
If you want to read more articles similar to Aloe aristata: care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
