Aloe aculeataPole - Evans

Prickly Aloe , Red Hot Poker Aloe , White - thorn Aloe

Family : AsphodelaceaeSubfamily : AsphodeloideaeGenus : Aloe

Aloe aculeata, commonly known as Red Hot Poker Aloe.

In cultivation, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo by Dean Boshoff. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The specific name " aculeata(a - kew - lee - AH - tuh ) " have in mind " prickly " and refers to the spines on the surfaces of the leave and the teeth on its margins .

Aloe aculeatais aboriginal toSouth Africa(Limpopo and Mpumalanga ) and voice of southern and centralZimbabweandMozambique . It grows on rocky outcrop in grassland and teetotal , flaxen bushveld .

Aloe aculeatais a succulent industrial plant that forms a compact , stemless , usuallysolitaryrosetteof dense green toglaucousleaves with scatter , reddish - brown spines from the pallid circular base on the lower surface , along the margins , and few usually near theapexof the upper Earth’s surface . The rosette can grow up to 2 feet ( 60 cm ) marvellous and nigh equal in diameter . The leaf are erect , often slightly incurved , and spear - forge , terminating in a shrewd spine , and can value up to 2 feet ( 60 cm ) long and 4.8 inches ( 12 cm ) astray . They ferment bronze in dry conditions .

Aloe aculeata, commonly known as Red Hot Poker Aloe. A juvenile plant.

A juvenile plant. In cultivation, Houston, Texas, United States. Photo by Jenn M. Smith. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The flowers are reddish - orange to yellow in the bud , orange to yellow at blossoming , and can rise up to 1.6 inches ( 4 atomic number 96 ) long . They appear in dense , many - floweredracemeson a stout , simple or branchedpeduncle , commonly in wintertime . The cylindric racemes can extend to up to 2 feet ( 60 curium ) in distance and 2.8 inch ( 7 centimetre ) in diam . The seminal fluid capsules are gray and oblong and hold dingy , narrowly wing seeds . They can grow up to 0.7 inches ( 1.8 cm ) retentive and 0.4 inches ( 1 cm ) in diameter .

Light : When growingA. aculeataindoors , place your plant in a window that make plenty of bright collateral luminosity . Rotate the mass once or twice a hebdomad so that all side of the works receive equal lighting . Outdoors provide light shade , especially during the hot parts of the twenty-four hour period .

stain : PlantA. aculeatain a well - drained soil admixture formulated for succulents ormake your own . drain is essential because too much wet around root can cause beginning rot .

Aloe aculeata, commonly known as Red Hot Poker Aloe. Buds and flowers.

Buds and flowers. In habitat, Nylstroom, Limpopo, South Africa. Photo bypete_leroux. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.

Temperature : This succulent grows well at temperatures between 50 and 85 ° F ( 10 and 30 ° C ) . When temperatures drop below 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) , it is time to bring your industrial plant back inside . A. aculeata   can hold out temperatures as low as 25 ° F ( -3.9 ° C ) . USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b : 25 to 50 ° F ( -3.9 to 10 ° C ) .

Watering : This succulent does need regular tearing but is very large-minded of drouth conditions for scant catamenia . Water profoundly , but only when the filth is wry . dilute back onwateringduring the wintertime months . Do not lease water supply stand in the little potato .

Fertilizing : A. aculeatagenerally does not involve fertilizer but may profit from the excess nutrients . Feedwith a plant food for succulents in outpouring and summer only . Be certain to follow the label directions .

Aloe aculeata, commonly known as Red Hot Poker Aloe

In cultivation, Boland Mountain Complex, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo byjanmomsen. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.

Repotting : This flora is not particularly tight - growing and will seldom ask repotting . To prevent it from becoming rootbound , repot it in the spring in a container a few inches larger in diameter every few years .

Propagation : SinceA. aculeatahas a nongregarious outgrowth riding habit , it can be propagated only from come . For good result , seed germ during the warm months .

Learn more atHow to turn and like for Aloe .

A. aculeatais not listed as toxic for people and pets .

press a photograph to see a large translation .

Did you line up this helpful ? apportion it with other succulent lovers !