About
Aloe marlothii is a sizable, tree-like succulent that can reach up to 4 meters in height. It features dense, fleshy rosettes of thorny, silver-green foliage. In the UK, this plant is infrequently encountered. During the summer months, it produces vibrant yellow-orange flowers that emerge on nearly horizontal branches extending from the main upright flowering stem.
About the genus
Aloe consists of evergreen perennials that can grow as mat-forming or shrubby plants. They feature rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves and produce small tubular flowers arranged in racemes or panicles.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Southern Africa
- Toxicity
- Human/Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow indoors in a container of peat-free, cacti potting compost or peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added horticultural grit. Water moderately when in growth; very sparingly when dormant. Apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly from May to August. Outdoors in warmer southern counties it can survive brief spells at -6°C if kept dry at the roots. See aloe cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed or leaf cuttings or by separating plantlets from the base
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free