Aloe petricola (Stone Aloe)

Perfect for rocky areas, Aloe petricola (Stone Aloe) is an evergreen succulent forming a stemless solitary rosette of long blue-gray leaves with broad bases and narrow tips. The fleshy leaves curve inwards, giving a rounded appearance to the rosette. They feature scattered thorns on their upper and lower surfaces as well as sharp, brown teeth along their margins. It produces beautiful, densely packed racemes of bicolored flowers that attract nectar-feeding birds. Red to orange in buds, the flowers open to creamy-yellow or greenish white. While younger plants produce only one unbranched inflorescence, mature plants can display up to 3-6 branches. The flowers are followed by seeds which are enclosed in capsules. Aloe petricola is used to treat stomach issues and the sap of its leaves is also used to treat wounds and minor burns. Aloe petricola is a lovely addition to the water-wise garden, needs little care and is able to grow in difficult, rocky places.

• Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Easily grown in sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Water occasionally to infrequently. Aloe petricola is more tolerant to soil conditions than other Aloes. Drought tolerant.
• Great for beds and borders, coastal gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
• Propagation is by seeds. They will germinate, if maintained moist, after two weeks.
• Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees.
• Stressed plants are susceptible to white scale, aloe cancer, aloe rust and the aloe snout beetle.
• Native to South Africa.