Aloe wickensii with upright blue-grey leaves and red and yellow bicolored flower spikes in a gravel bed

Aloe wickensii

Aloe wickensii
Categories:
Cacti & Succulents  ·  
Aloe
Light
Full sun (afternoon shade in low desert)
Water
Low water once established. Water deeply, then let soil dry thoroughly; provide occasional supplemental water during prolonged hot, dry weather. Reduce watering in winter.
Size
3-4 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide
Habit
Rosette succulent
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets
Description
A striking South African aloe with a usually solitary rosette of blue-gray, toothed leaves and showy, two-toned red-and-yellow flower spikes.
Bloom Time
Winter to spring
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought Tolerant
Growth Rate
Slow to moderate
Growth Habit
Rosette succulent
Mature Size
3-4 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide
Flower Color
Yellow to orange
Foliage Color
Gray-green
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Cactus / Succulent Garden, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife
Soil
Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Allowing adequate spacing, Desert spoon, Golden barrel cactus, Parry's agave, Red yucca, Trailing lantana
Toxic — Pets
Toxic to pets (mild GI upset)
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to light shade; in Phoenix, morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent summer leaf scorch. Acclimate gradually to direct sun.

Water: Low water once established. Water deeply, then let soil dry thoroughly; provide occasional supplemental water during prolonged hot, dry weather. Reduce watering in winter.

Soil: Very well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. In heavy desert soil, plant on a raised mound or use a container with a gritty succulent mix.

Mature size: Approximately 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, with flower stalks reaching about 4–5 feet.

Bloom: Late winter to early spring; established plants can bloom annually.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on water, temperature, and growing conditions.