Scientific Name
Aloe vanrooyenii Gideon F.Sm. & N.R.Crouch
Common Name(s)
Van Rooyen's Aloe
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloe
Origin
This species is native to South Africa, found as a thornveld savanna component mainly around Ladysmith, and also known from the Dundee and Underberg Districts in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in Free State province.
Description
Aloe vanrooyenii is a small, slow-growing succulent that forms a stemless or rarely very short-stemmed rosette of triangular glossy pale green leaves with green to whitish spots variously shaped and sized, often merging in transverse bands. The rosette grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, usually solitary or sometimes branched from the base to form a small group. The leaves are up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and 3.2 inches (8 cm) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is shallowly and broadly grooved, while the lower surface is convex and sometimes with small teeth arranged in a central row near the apex. The margins of the leaves are with a whitish near-translucent edge and armed with very sharp brownish-orange teeth. Flowers appear on sparsely branched, up to 32 inches (80 cm) tall panicles in early summer. They are orange or red, cylindric-trigonous, swollen at base, up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long, and up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter. One of the main distinguishing characteristics of this species is the large size of its erect, cylindrical-oblong, matt green to purple-brown fruits. Also, it is the only spotted Aloe (Maculate Aloe) from KwaZulu-Natal that regularly blooms in summer. The fruits are up to 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) long and up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) in diameter.
Etymology
The specific epithet "vanrooyenii (van-ROOY-en-ee-eye)" honors Pieter van Rooyen of Greytown, who stimulated and facilitated further taxonomic studies of this unique maculate aloe.
How to Grow and Care for Aloe vanrooyenii
Light: When growing A. vanrooyenii indoors, place your plant in a window that gets plenty of bright indirect light. Rotate the pot once or twice a week so that all sides of the plant receive equal lighting. Outdoors provide light shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Soil: Plant A. vanrooyenii in a well-drained soil mix specially formulated for succulents or make your own. Drainage is essential because too much moisture around roots can cause root rot.
Hardiness: When temperatures shift below 50 °F (10 °C), it is time to bring your plant back inside. A. vanrooyenii can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: This succulent does need regular watering but is very tolerant of drought conditions for short periods. Water deeply, but only when the soil is dry. Cut back on watering during the winter months. Do not let water stand in the rosettes.
Fertilizing: A. vanrooyenii generally does not require fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients. Feed with a fertilizer for succulents in spring and summer only. Be sure to follow label directions.
Repotting: This plant is not particularly fast-growing and will only rarely need repotting. Repot it in the spring in a container a few inches larger in diameter every few years to keep it from becoming rootbound.
Propagation: Propagating A. vanrooyenii can be done using the offsets or seeds from a mature plant. Remove offsets from the mother plant in late spring or early summer. For best results, sow seeds during the warm months.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aloe.
Toxicity of Aloe vanrooyenii
A. vanrooyenii is not listed as toxic for people and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Aloe
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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