Aloe 'Black Gem' | World of Succulents

Scientific Name

x Alworthia ‘Black Gem’

Synonyms

Alworthia ‘Black Gem’, Aloe ‘Black Gem’

Scientific Classification

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus: x Alworthia

Description

x Alworthia ‘Black Gem’ is a bigeneric hybrid between Aloe speciosa and Haworthia cymbiformis. This evergreen, perennial succulent generates many tight offsets, creating a large low clump. The foliage varies from green through to dark reddish-bronze purple with the thick, triangular-conical, succulent leaves becoming darker and redder the more sun it gets.

Photo via davarree.forumactif.fr

How to Grow and Care

Aloe is a very forgiving plant, and a well-grown plant can be quite beautiful. As with all succulents, it’s essential that Aloe is never allowed to sit in stagnant water, and the plant should be carefully monitored to watch for signs of overwatering. Prefers warmer temperatures of 70ºF/21ºC to 80ºF/27ºC, but will survive down to 40ºF/4.5ºC. A well-drained potting mix is essential; use a cacti or succulent mix. Feed with a cactus fertilizer in the summer only. Suspend feeding in the winter as the plant goes dormant.

Aloe are not particularly fast-growing and will only rarely need repotting. Repot plants in the spring that are tipping over their pots or have ceased growing. Use a fast-draining potting mix with one-third sand or pebbles.

During repotting of a larger plant, it is possible to carefully divide the root ball. Some kinds of aloe will send off off-sets that can be potted independently… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Aloe.