Photo of Aloe speciosa flower by J.G. in SF

Photo by J.G. in SF

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Buy Aloe speciosa

Also Known As

  • Tilt-Head Aloe
  • Tree Aloe

Plant type

tree, cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 10'-20'
  • W: 4'-12'

planting zones

  • 9a-12

15ga | $354.75

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Fewer than 1 at Dry Oasis Plants

4in | $12.75

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68 at Dry Oasis Plants

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Aloe speciosa plant details

Aloe speciosa is an evergreen cactus / succulent or tree with blue and green foliage. In summer green, red and white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer, dry in winter. Does well in gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aloe speciosa

Plant type: cactus / succulent or tree
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 4 FT - 12 FT - wide, 10 FT - 20 FT - tall
Flowers: green, red and white blooms in summer
Uses: bare root shipping available, border plant, container plant, rock garden, year-round-interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aloe speciosa

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Aloe speciosa is a generally single-stemmed, tall succulent growing up to 10 feet (3 m) that carries its massive rosettes of leaves at a tilt off to one side. The Tilt-head Aloe is a handsome tree-like succulent having decorative blue-green leaves with deep pink to pale red, serrated leaf margins, and dense cylindrical flower heads of red buds, opening greenish white in spring-summer.

Makes a great specimen plant for the garden that is quite attractive to hummingbirds.

Learn more about Aloe speciosa

This plant has been grown in a 4in pot. You will receive a very similar plant to the one in the picture. The plant is shipped "dry root" (without soil).

Large tree aloe species with half white and half red flower spikes. Spotted foliage when young.
A blue green “Tree Aloe” with a naturally peculiar form! Aloe speciosa will eventually reach 8-10’ high, & about 4’ wide. As the rosette matures & the plant gets taller it shifts & tilts its head expressively to one side – wherever it can find the strongest light - hence the common name. Its bloom time is late winter - the flower spikes are densely packed with red buds that fade to greenish white as they open with showy red stamens, & are hummingbird attracting. Tolerant of many soil types, but prefers good drainage & fairly low water, & once established is extremely drought tolerant. Leaves are slightly toothed, & persist on the plant, leaving the trunk a wee bit messy.

Gardening facts about Aloe speciosa plant

How to Grow Aloe speciosa

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Color

    • white
    • red
    • green
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Texture

    • glaucous
  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
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