Most people know Aloe vera as a representative of the aloes. We will show you an overview of other beautiful aloe species.
The genus of aloe consists of many more species than just Aloe vera. We'll tell you how many species there are and give you a brief overview of some of the most beautiful aloe species.
Aloe species: how many aloes are there?
The aloe genus includes over 500 plant species. But how can you determine the type of aloe? They can usually be easily distinguished by optical characteristics such as leaf color and shape, leaf serrations, growth height or by their flowers. The species can be roughly divided into three groups: the tree aloes, the shrub aloes and the stemless aloes. In principle, all aloe species can be cultivated as houseplants, but the right site conditions, sufficient space and proper care are crucial. The right substrate is also a prerequisite for he althy growth. Since all species are succulents, there are small peculiarities when watering and fertilizing aloes.
Aloe species: overview of the most beautiful species
The variety of aloe species is almost limitless. The spectrum ranges from dwarf forms to high-growing tree aloe species, as well as color variations of the leaves. We present you with a brief overview of the most beautiful species.
1. Aloe Vera
The best-known representative of the aloe genus is Aloe vera. "La vera" means "the real one", which is why it is also known as real aloe. From a botanical point of view, the name Aloe barbadensis is correct, but it hardly caught on. The leaves of the Aloe vera species are about 30 to 40 cm long, while the inflorescence can reach a height of 90 cm. It forms showy yellow to orange flowers. Are you interested in the origin, properties or use of Aloe vera? You can find information on this in our special article on true aloe.
The Aloe arborescens is also often referred to as the eternal aloe because it can grow very old and up to two meters high. It belongs to the group of tree aloe species and forms several bare false trunks with leaf rosettes at the ends. The leaves are conspicuously serrated on the edge. When flowering occurs, an inflorescence emerges from the heart of the leaf rosette, topped with scarlet flowers. The Aloe arborescens is less widespread than the Aloe vera, but is still one of the most beautiful aloe species. After three years at the latest, side shoots are formed, through which the Aloe arborescens spreads. What is special is that the Aloe arborescens is tolerant of brief freezing temperatures. Similar to the Aloe vera, it is one of the aloe species with healing properties. The Aloe arborescens can relieve itching when applied to the skin. Medicinally, the consumption of the ornamental plants is not recommended, as their harmlessness depends on the correct processing.
The 'Miller' variety, which is characterized by its striking, bright red inflorescence, is particularly widespread.
Tip: Aloe belong to the monocotyledons - the monocotyledonous plants - therefore a stem formation in the classic sense is not possible. However, some species form a pseudostem from old leaf sheaths.
3. Aloe aristata
The Aloe aristata is also called spherical aloe because of its growth. The dwarf form grows completely without a stem and develops leaves up to 15 cm long, which have conspicuous, white toothed edges. In late spring, the Aloe aristata develops orange flowers. Older plants form numerous side shoots, so-called Kindel, for propagation. Like some other aloe species, the Aloe aristata is poisonous and has no he alth-promoting effects. Well-known varieties include 'Cosmo' and 'Magic'.
Because of the spirally arranged leaves, the Aloe polyphylla is also called spiral aloe. The short, ovate-elongated leaves taper to a point and are arranged in five rows that spiral in the same direction. The tip of the leaf is often particularly noticeable because of its purple colour. Mature Aloepolyphylla plants form a distinctive rosette, which is not so clearly visible on younger plants. The sap of the Aloe polyphylla is poisonous and should therefore not be applied to the skin or consumed.
5. Aloe ferox
The Aloe ferox originally comes from South Africa, which gave it the name Cape Aloe. The species, which belongs to the tree aloes, is also called wild aloe and can form a false trunk up to three meters high. The dull green, sometimes reddish coloured, sprawling leaves are up to 100 cm long. Their wrinkled edges are lined with brown, hard teeth. Like Aloe vera, Aloe ferox has a healing effect on skin problems. It is often used for the production of aloe juice because it forms a lot of gel in its thick fleshy leaves. Its flower cluster grows up to 130 cm tall and produces showy bright red or orange flowers.
One of the loveliest dwarf aloes is the Aloe variegata, which is also called tiger aloe because of its spotted leaves. It grows only 10 to 15 cm high and forms lanceolate, toothless leaves on a small trunk. With age, the leaves curl up a bit. The conspicuous, irregular drawing with white transverse bands on the leaves is the distinguishing feature of Aloe variegata. The red flowers, which are formed by young plants and grow on an inflorescence up to 40 cm long, are particularly beautiful. The Aloe variegata is also one of the poisonous aloe species. A popular variety is the Aloe variegata 'Magic'.
Tip: Only with sufficient nutrients is it possible for the plant to form he althy and strong leaves. A high-quality green plant fertilizer is suitable for this, such as our Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer. Our organic liquid fertilizer contains microorganisms that promote root formation and nutrient uptake, and contains no animal ingredients.
7. Aloe mitriformis
Aloe mitriformis is one of the small aloe species, but can develop a pseudo-stem that is up to two meters longonly grows lying down. Their 20 cm long leaves have conspicuous serrations on the leaf edge and can be red towards the tip. The Aloe mitriformis forms a small leaf rosette. In good site conditions, it bears small, scarlet flowers. The juice of the Aloe mitriformis has a positive effect on skin problems.
8. Aloe plicatilis
One of the largest aloe species is Aloe plicatilis, whose false trunk can grow up to five meters high and forms a branched crown. Several pseudo-trunks can be formed at the same time. Like the Aloe ferox it comes from South Africa. Because of its sprawling, fan-like growth, it is also called fan aloe. The leaves are very slender in relation to the size of the plant and usually have no teeth on the edge. The inflorescence of the Aloe plicatilis grows up to 50 cm high and produces bright red flowers. Because of the substances contained in the milky juice, the Aloe plicatilis is poisonous.
9. Aloe aculeata
The Aloe aculeata is a stemless aloe species whose leaves are arranged in a large rosette. The thick-fleshed leaves, up to 60 cm long, form conspicuous, often red teeth on the leaf edges and spines on the leaf surface. The name "aculeata" comes from Latin and means "prickly". A special feature of the Aloe aculeata is the lemon-yellow flower that grows at the end of an inflorescence that is up to 100 cm high. The most famous variety of Aloe aculeata is the 'Jurassic Dragon'.
Are you looking for more native or exotic evergreen plants for the garden? Then read our article about popular evergreen and hardy shrubs and woody plants.