Aloe vanbalenii (Van Balen's Aloe)
Van Balen's Aloe, Octopus Aloe
Resembling an octopus, Aloe vanbalenii (Van Balen's Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming striking stemless rosettes of long, deeply channeled, gracefully twisting, and curling leaves. Bright green with copper-red edges in the shade, the fleshy leaves turn orange or dark red shades in the full, hot sun with minimum water. Lined with reddish teeth, they emit cinnamon or musky fragrance when bruised or damaged. From winter to early spring, slender, conical, yellow to orange-yellow, tubular flowers are produced on unbranched spikes, 3 ft. high (90 cm). They are attractive to nectar-seeking birds and insects. This colony-forming Aloe makes a fantastic focal point in sunny borders or decorative containers.
- Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
- Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant, but looks best with regular water during the growing season.
- Great for beds and borders, rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
- Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees
- Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects and mealybugs.
- Remove spent flower spikes and old leaves if desired. Offsets can be removed and replanted.
- Native to Southern Africa from KwaZulu-Natal to Swaziland
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Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Aloe |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 120" (300cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Aloe |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spacing | 120" (300cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |