Scientific Name
Aloe pearsonii Schönland
Common Name(s)
Pearson's Aloe
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloe
Description
Aloe pearsonii is a shrubby succulent with erect stems covered in four or five highly symmetrical rows of thick, fleshy, recurved leaves. The stems can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 cm) tall, usually branching from the base or sometimes higher up. The lower area of the stems is often covered with persistent dead leaves. The leaves are triangular with small teeth along the margins, up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) long and 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide. They are dull bluish-green and often turn maroon red, especially during dry months.
The inflorescence is simple or up to 3-branched low down bearing dense conical racemes of golden yellow or red flowers with a golden expanded mouth. The flowers are narrow, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, and appear in summer.
Origin
Aloe pearsonii is endemic to a small area on the border between South Africa and Namibia, where it occurs in pockets of sandy soil among rocks from the mountains around Rosh Pinah in Namibia to Kubus in the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Aloes can live long and thrive with very little care. These plants are great for beginners.
When growing Aloes indoors, place your plants near a southern or southwest-facing window with plenty of bright, indirect light. To keep your Aloes looking green, avoid exposing them to direct sun, which can cause leaves to brown. Instead, rotate the pots once or twice a week so that all sides of the plants receive equal lighting. Rotating your Aloe also helps balance out the look of the plant, as leaves tend to grow toward the sunlight.
Outdoors provide light shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day. An excellent spot for growing Aloe outdoors is on a covered patio or porch.
Plant Aloes in well-drained soil specially formulated for cacti and other succulents, or make your soil mix. Drainage is essential because too much moisture around roots can cause root rot.
These succulents need regular watering but are very tolerant of drought conditions for short periods. Water deeply, but only when the soil is completely dry. Cut back on watering during the winter months. Overwatering is the top reason Aloe plants die. Do not let water stand in the rosettes.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aloe.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Aloe
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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