Aloes are very popular and some of the most rewarding plants to cultivate. They make excellent accent plants owing to their often strange and inspiring architectures, as well as the bright flowers that offset the grey-green leaves. They are also very suitable as container plants and small aloes can be used very effectively as border plants at the edge of a bed. Although aloes are most often included in rockeries, their application in horticulture is not limited to this feature and they can be used in almost any setting and in conjunction with most common garden plants.

Their natural adaptation to harsh and often arid climates, makes aloes superb subjects for the water-wise garden. Aloes can tolerate long periods of drought, but it is not true that watering should be withheld to obtain optimal growth. Stressed plants are more susceptible to insects and pests. Plants thrive, flower better and are more resistant when given adequate water during the growing season. However, be very careful not to overwater aloes as this can cause them to rot, especially when the soil does not drain well.

Although there are some species that are very difficult or even impossible to grow successfully, the vast majority of the more common aloes are easy and can readily be grown almost anywhere in the country. Aloes generally require soils with good drainage and do best in warm climates. When planted in rich soil that are regularly mulched plants will do well for many years without intervention and are thus require very low maintenance once established. Extra protection may be necessary in cold areas as very few aloes can withstand severe frost. To ensure success it is necessary to know the conditions under which a species grow in their natural habitat and to choose aloes that will naturally do well in the particular area and local climate where you live.

Propagation

Seed: Propagating aloes from seed is relatively easy and germination usually starts within one week of sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the capsules are dry and start to split open. A resting period is not required and seed should be sown fresh if possible. In South Africa the best months to sow seed is from August to February. Use a mixture containing equal parts of sifted compost and coarse river sand, sow seed over the surface and cover with a very thin layer of soil or pure sand, followed by a layer of pea-sized gravel. The gravel layer provides support for the emerging seedlings which have a very weak root system and are very tender during their first few months. In nature seedlings are usually found in the shelter and shade of âe~nurse' or companion plants. Try to imitate this by keeping the seedling trays in the shade. Seedlings can be transplanted once three true leaves have formed, usually after about a year.

Cuttings: Cuttings are a popular and reliable way of propagating tree and shrub-like aloes. Stem cutting should be allowed to dry in the shade for a few days or even weeks, and then planted in the intended spot in the garden. Leaving cuttings to dry before replanting allows for the wound to heal and dry. This much reduces the risk of fungal infection and eventual rotting of the entire cutting. Plants grown from cuttings will reach maturity faster than plants grown from seed.

Division: Suckering aloes that form large clumps of many rosettes can be propagated by splitting a clump into individual plants. Suckers and small plants should be removed from the mother plant with a sharp knife. These should also preferably be left to dry in the shade before planting, especially if the suckers do not yet have roots of their own. Plants that already have roots can be planted into their required places or pots, and will become established faster than rootless plantlets. As in the case of cuttings, plants grown from clump division will reach maturity faster than plants grown from seed.