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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (Aloes) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Orange Red |
| Bloomtime: Fall/Winter |
| Parentage: (A. humilis x A. arborescens) |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Aloe x spinosissima (Spider Aloe) - This succulent hybrid is one of the more manageably-sized aloes, growing to about 3 ft. tall in flower and spreading into clumps of the same width. Red flowers on an unbranched inflorescence in winter. The name Aloe x spinosissima suggests something ferociously spiny but the teeth that line the leaf margins are not very large or sharp. New rosettes grow from the base of the old ones. Plant in full sun. Hardy to 22-25 F. This is a great midsized landscape aloe but unfortunately seems quite attractive to aloe mite. It is an old hybrid whose origins seem lost in time. It has long been in cultivation in California as evidenced by its listing in the 1930 publication Cacti and other Succulents: An Annotated List of Plants Cultivated in Santa Barbara that was written by Ralph Hoffman, E.O. Orpet, Eric Walther and James West and edited by Pearl Chase. In this book it is listed as a hybrid between the toothy form of Aloe humilis known as var. echinata and A. arborescens var. pachythyrsa, but both varieties have now been synonymized with their associated species. It is sometimes sold as Aloe arborescens 'Dwarf'. The name is the superlative form of 'spinosus', which means spiny so would mean "very spiny" or "superlatively spiny".
This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Aloe x spinossima.
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