All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

The name 'variegata' refers to the alternate white and green bands on the leaves. It makes an attractive and completely smooth plant without (usually) any teeth or sharp edges and does great on most window sills. Produces good orange-red flowers.
 

Scientific name:  Aloe variegata  L

Origin:  Indigenous to the dry parts of Western South Africa (Cape Provinces, Namaqualand, Karoo and Orange Free State) and southern Namibia.

Common Names include: Partridge Breast Aloe, Tiger Aloe

A. variegata may be confused with two Aloes that are found in Namibia (Aloe dinteri and Aloe sladeniana).

Synonyms:  

• Aloe variegata var. haworthii
• Aloe punctata
• Aloe ausana

A young specimen.
 

Description: Plants are stemless and form groups of a few rosettes 30 cm tall, around to20-30 cm wide. It has 18-24 smooth dark-green or brown leaves arranged in three ranks, each leaf is 10-15 cm long and 3-6 cm broad, irregularly variegated alternately dark green and whitish, a distinctive keel is present on the lower leaf surface. The leaf margins are sporadically armed with tiny white teeth.
Flowers: The flowers are relatively large and hang loosely from the inflorescence (a 20-30 cm height raceme) they are usually orange with green edges. (but may vary in colour from a dull-pink to red and seldom yellow ) Blooms in winter or early spring. offsets being readily formed.

Cultivation:  A. variegata is easy to grow in light shade and make a great, almost no care houseplant although, without bright enough lighting can become leggy and pale but looks it's best when grown in full sun.. Its main growing periods are spring and Autumn. Keep relatively dry, careful watering is required, as it is prone to rot if overwatered, especially in the winter months.. Frost protection is required (but plant can tolerate -7°C for short period). Thrives in medium to large sized pots and need a drained soil.
Maintenance: Removal of old flower stalks; During the winter months, the plants should be grown cool to initiate flower development (about 5-10°C ).

Reproduction: Usually via offsets (cuttings), it is also possible the propagation from seed which germinates easily if sown in well drained soil and covered lightly with fine sand. Seedlings grow fast, reaching flowering size in three to four years. Seeds must be sown as fresh as possible. Fresh seeds germinate quickly at 18°C.

 

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.