Aloe marlothii
Aloe marlothii · Asphodelaceae
📷 JMK · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around aloe marlothii and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fleshy and greyish
- Flowering
- Spring (March to May), yellow flowers in spikes
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2 m tall, 1 to 1.5 m wide
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness (min. 5°C, ideally 10°C)
- Origin
- South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, sandy or rocky, poor
Expert tips
The key tip
Aloe marlothii needs very little water in winter (once a month maximum) but appreciates regular watering in summer if temperatures exceed 25°C; the secret is to let the substrate dry completely between waterings. Use a draining pot with cactus or sandy soil to avoid any root rot.
The common mistake
Most gardeners kill their Aloe marlothii by watering it too often in winter out of habit, mistakenly believing that a succulent needs regular water.
The pro's trick
If your plant starts to become bare at the base (classic sign of chronic water stress), take the small healthy side rosettes to propagate: they take easily in 3-4 weeks in dry substrate, and you recover a more compact plant.
Seasonal watch
In autumn-winter, watch for the appearance of mealybugs under the lower leaves: the drier air and less circulation favor them. A simple pass with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol eliminates the problem before it gets worse.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), every 15 to 20 days, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. In autumn and winter, reduce drastically: light watering once a month is enough. Absolutely avoid standing water which causes root rot.
Light exposure
Place your Aloe marlothii in full sun or very bright light. This plant loves direct rays and needs at least 6 hours of sun daily to thrive. Indoors, position it near a south or west-facing window.
Soil and substrate
Use a special succulent potting mix or prepare a very well-draining blend: 2/3 cactus soil + 1/3 coarse sand or perlite. A draining pot and poor substrate promote healthy roots. Avoid overly peaty or compact soils.
Fertilizer
Apply highly diluted succulent fertilizer in spring-summer, once a month at most. Excessive feeding promotes soft, unattractive foliage. Don't fertilize in autumn and winter.
Pruning and cleaning
No pruning is really necessary; the plant naturally adopts its shape. Simply remove dead or heavily damaged leaves at the base. You can remove dried flower spikes after flowering.
Diseases and pests
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites in hot, dry climates. Root rot remains the main risk if the soil is too wet. If infestation occurs, isolate the plant, spray with soapy water, and improve ventilation.
Did you know?
Aloe marlothii is named after South African botanist Hermann Marloth who discovered it. Its golden-yellow flower spikes attract nectar-feeding birds, particularly sunbirds, which play a crucial role in its pollination in the wild. It's a true sentinel of the African semi-arid regions, capable of surviving several years without rain thanks to its leaf reserves.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blueberry lilyDianella revoluta
- Cerulean flaxlilyDianella caerulea
- Tasmanian flax-lilyDianella tasmanica
- New Zealand flaxPhormium tenax
- Tree aloeAloe arborescens
- Lemon daylilyHemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.