How to care for aloe aristata?

If you are looking for a succulent plant that is both beautiful and durable, the aloe aristata it is definitely an excellent choice.

And it is that the plants of this family are extraordinarily strong, having ability to thrive in a broad spectrum of temperatures: from hot climates with direct sun exposure to temperatures close to zero degrees.

For all this, aloes are ideal if you are a beginner in the care of succulent plants. In The Truth News We give you a brief guide to the care of the aloe aristata and what are its main characteristics.

Characteristics of aloe aristata

The aloe aristata are a whole genus in the Xanthorrhoeaceae family, with around 500 species of succulent plants, such as aloe vera, aloe brevifolia, aloe variegata, aloe saponaria and aloe aristatawhich we are talking about here.

He aloe aristataalso known as torch plant, comes from South Africa and is recognized by its arrangement in small rosettes of no more than 30 cm, as well as by its dark green triangular leaves, with jagged edges and covered with thorns.

The flowers of this plant, which when they sprout 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.

It may interest you: What can I put on my orchids to make them bloom?

How to care for aloe aristata?

Despite the strong and resilient nature of the torch plant, there are some guidelines that should be followed to keep it in the best possible condition. Follow these gardening tips on basic care of aloe aristata:

He aloe aristata It is very comfortable in full sun or in semi-shade areas in case you live in a very hot climate.

For this reason, it is suitable both for outdoor gardens and for indoor pots, as long as the latter are kept next to windows or sources of natural light.

It is a plant mainly for a warm climate, 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-shade area.

Regarding the cold, it can withstand temperatures close to zero degrees, but it is not suitable for floors that freeze.

This plant is particularly comfortable in sandy and dry soils, since what it needs is 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 bottom of the pot and another on the surface will help the plant stay away from excess moisture.

You can fertilize it in spring and summer with fertilizer for cacti or succulent plants if you want to give it an extra contribution of vitality.

Since it is a dry climate plant, the aloe aristata it does not need more than 2 or 3 weekly waterings at most.

Of course, it is important that, if you have it in a pot, do not put a plate under its drainage and, if necessary, always remember to empty it of excess water after watering. Excess moisture is the worst enemy of this plant, so be especially careful with this.

He aloe aristata It requires an 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 of its roots to ensure that possible pests are eliminated from it.

If you want to multiply your aloe, it is very easy to do so with its young. Simply, carefully extract them from the mother plant and let them root in another pot or area, always with good drainage, and where it receives natural light but not directly.

Finally, if you want to plant your own seeds of aloe aristata, the most suitable season for it is at the end of spring. You should not plant it too deeply to avoid the dreaded excess of water that will make it not prosper.

Pests and diseases of aloe aristata

Although not very common, the aloe aristata It can suffer the attack of the scale insect, commonly known as cochineal.

When this happens, the insects settle into the grooves and narrow spaces between the leaves, making their extraction somewhat difficult.

The use of tongs or spatulas is recommended for this. In addition, a suitable pesticide or an infusion with nasturtium can be used, which sprayed on the plant will help to clean it of these parasites.

However, and as we have already mentioned before, the worst enemies of aloe aristata they are without a doubt the excessive humidity and the putrefaction that this entails, in addition to the appearance of fungi. To prevent this from happening, you must ensure a well-draining soil or pot and, if the roots poke through the drainage holes of the pot, transplant it into a larger one immediately.