Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

Aloe arborescens

Image of Aloe arborescens

Felder Rushing

Family

Aloaceae

Botanical Name

Aloe arborescens

Plant Common Name

Candelabra Aloe, Tree Aloe

General Description

While it takes many years for this branched, tree-like evergreen to reach full size, it’s absolutely fabulous in the meantime. Eventually growing to well above head height, this native of southern Africa bears rosettes of long, succulent, dagger-shaped leaves a candelabra of stems. The grayish green leaves have saw-toothed edges. In winter or early spring, long stalks topped with conical clusters of red tubular flowers arise from the leaf rosettes. Some plants have yellow blooms. Adapted for pollination by sunbirds, the flowers also attract hummingbirds.

This cold-tender plant prefers ample sun and well drained soil. Like all of its kind this plant is quite resistant to both drought and high heat but may struggle in scorching sun. Treat young plants as stemless rosettes until the "trunk" develops, grouping them to form masses of color. This aloe makes an exceptional container specimen. It is not a medicinal plant.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 10

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    11

  • Sunset Zone

    8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Cactus or Succulent

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m

  • Width

    4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter

  • Native To

    Southern Africa

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Gray Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No