Description
Aloe pictifolia is originally from South. It grows in inaccessible, sheer rock faces and ledges on quartztic sandstone in full sun or partial. It branches into great clusters which overhang rocks, the curving leaves reflexed or ascending
Common Names: Kouga aloe
Aloe pictifolia (Speckled Aloe) is an attractive small aloe up to 10 inches tall that slowly forms small groups of leaf rosettes. The blue-grey-green leaves are ornamented with many white spots. Out of habitat, this plant is reminiscent of Aloe microstigma, to which it is probably closely related.
Derivation of specific name: The name \’pictifolia\’ means \’painted leaves\’, a reference to the extensively white-spotted surface its leaves.
Habit Plants usually form small to dense groups of up to seven rosettes 20-25 cm in diameter.
Cultivation and Propagation: Aloe pictifolia is easy to grow, requiring very little care. In the wild this plant grows on cliffs. Easy to grow and good for small pots. Suckers vigorously.
Growing rate: It grow slowly, but not agonizingly so being able to increase is height by 10-20 (or more) cm per year under favorable conditions.
Potting medium: Always use a good quality, loamy sandy soil with plenty of drainage chips at the bottom of containers.
Watering: It tolerates weekly watering in the summer; once a month, or not at all in the colder months of December and January. Can withstand long periods of drought, but it will thrive and flower more profusely if watered in the correct season.
Exposition: full sun to light shade, with some sun exposure the leaf develops a nice reddish tint and remains compact.
Hardiness: It can take a few degrees of frost in winter as well, but prefers hot summers. It grows much better outdoors in spring and summer. In mild climates it can be cultivated outdoors for use in landscaping, preferably planting it in hot and dry rock gardens
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