Are you chasing rainbows? We’ve listed here some of the most colorful Aloes that are truly out of the blue!
Aloe is a diverse genus comprising more than 500 species with varieties of rosette-forming leaves, fleshy interiors, and patterns. Let’s understand where these colorful Aloes come from and what kind of maintenance or care they seek!
Most Colorful Aloes
1. Red Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe cameronii
From the Malawi region, Red Aloe is admired for its intense copper-red or magenta foliage. Aloe cameronii is a succulent shrub with an ability to spread up to 60-150 cm. It thrives best in arid climates, and blooms during the late autumn through winter seasons.
This bright species is suitable as a source of dye, the roots dye wool in shades of red-brown to purplish-red, depending on the mordant.
2. Krantz Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe arborescens
The Krantz Aloe has large beautiful flowers, very attractive foliage, and a decorative form, and it is easy to grow. It is also a ‘must-have’ for anyone wanting to stock their herb gardens with indigenous healing plants.
These colorful flower spikes appear during the cold winter months (especially in May and July), which is also a great option for winter gardens. Deep orange is the most common color, but there are yellow forms and some bi-colored forms of deep orange.
3. Sunset Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe dorotheae
As the name suggests, this vibrant Aloe forms rosettes of shiny yellowish-green leaves that turn orange-red under direct sunlight. With its compact size and mesmerizing sunset hues, Aloe dorotheae brings a warm vibe to gardens.
It is native to Tanzania where it is also known as the Crimson Aloe. Also, the beautiful flowers are tubular, orange-red, or yellow with green tips and appear on usually unbranched flower stalks that can grow up to 2 feet long in winter.
4. Blue Elf Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe ‘Blue Elf’
This unique hybrid is a medium-sized Aloe with many upright stems of open rosettes with blue-green leaves. These are medium to dark green and tend to turn coppery red in summer when kept under full sun exposure.
The most eye-catching beauty is its spiky, orange-red blossoms that can grow up to 1 foot tall! It demands low maintenance which is why can be a nice choice for beginners.
5. Soap Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe maculata
Wondering why the word ‘Soap’? Then you must know that the sap from the leaves of this particular Aloe species is traditionally used as a remedy and a soap substitute by people from different cultures in its native region of Africa.
Besides, the Soap Aloe features unique spotted leaves and vibrant coral-red flowers. Indigenous to South Africa, it has both cosmetic and medicinal applications, with its sap traditionally used for soap-making.
6. Coral Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe striata
Don’t get confused if you do not see the spines that you generally observe in Aloe species. Because this one is a stemless species with blue-green leaves that lack spines but instead have a smooth and attractive pink margin.
Again, it also showcases coral red flowers during the winter months on tall flat-topped inflorescences. It is commonly found in South Africa, and popular as a resilient species with both ornamental and medicinal value.
7. Tiger Tooth Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe juvenna
This one seems to be a fierce or aggressive species as it has a vigorous growth of tiny foliage and distinct white spots all over the green leaves. Also, it’s worth mentioning the amount of spines it has on the edges of each leaf!
The name Tiger Tooth Aloe perfectly suits this plant. It originates from Kenya and got its name because of the white spots on its leaves, resembling tiger teeth. This small succulent is well-suited for container gardening and is appreciated for its low maintenance.
8. Cape Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe ferox
The most elegant and extraordinary among all plants available in South Africa, the Cape Aloe is not only popular for its appearance but also because of its long history of medicinal use. Its robust and spiky leaves contain a rich gel used in various health and cosmetic products.
This species is found in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly between the midlands and the coast in the Umkomaas and Umlaas river catchment areas. The colorful hue of this plant comes from its flowers that are carried in a large candelabra-like head varying from yellowy-orange to bright red color.
9. Fan Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe plicatilis
If you like large specimens in your garden, you have to get this one since it can reach a height of 3-5 m. Fan Aloes are like trees that showcase a cluster of leaves arranged in two opposite rows in the shape of an open fan, hence the name.
This unusual arrangement and shape of the leaves are what makes this species unique. Besides, the leaves are dull or grey-green in color, with the margins almost smooth, except for some small teeth in the upper part.
10. Spider Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe humilis
Hailing from South Africa’s Western Cape, the Spider Aloe is a species with a unique rosette pattern formed by white-spotted leaves. If you are a beginner, then this low-maintenance Aloe is just the right choice for your home or garden because it is a very adaptable plant.
You might as well confuse it with the Haworthiopsis succulent because the size and structure of both plants are the same! However, the Spider Aloe has tiny spots like mini warts on its small foliage which brings the difference.
Isn’t this listicle colorful and happy? Give the green light with flying colors to your garden with these most colorful aloes and yes, let us know your experiences in the comments!
