James Burghardt
Family
Aloaceae
Botanical Name
Aloe striata
Plant Common Name
Coral Aloe, Striped Aloe
General Description
The large, uniform rosettes of coral aloe are comprised of thick, smooth leaves with toothless margins. These are silvery gray-green and produce showy spikes of coral orange flowers from late winter to spring. This standout succulent originates from South Africa where it inhabits open, dry, rocky, hilly locales.
Coral aloe develops a substantial rosette of broad, thick, pointed leaves that are entirely smooth. These are silvery gray-green and some variants have thin, dark, longitudinal lines, hence the specific epithet, striata. Mature specimens form offsets, which can be severed and replanted. Leaves may adopt more yellow or orange hues when subjected to severe drought.
This aloe is a spectacular bloomer that flowers once a season. It produces branches topped with flattened spikes of tubular orange flowers which attract hummingbirds in North America. The individual blooms are bright coral orange. The fruits are fleshy seed pods filled with large black seeds.
Provide all aloes with full to partial sun and fast-draining soil on the infertile side. They take very well to container culture and actually prefer to be somewhat pot bound. Growers leave them in the same pot until the root mass or top growth is so dense water can no longer penetrate the roots. Under these conditions, they bloom more heavily and develop better foliar colors. To encourage faster growth, mild but frequent fertilization during the growing season is useful. Aloe is easy to propagate by removing offsets with or without roots and planting in a granular mix.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Coral, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver, Black
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver, Black
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Gray Green, Silver, Black
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
