Aloe Aristata (Torch Plant): Growing And Care Guide

If you’re interested in growing and keeping a beautiful Aloe aristata plant, this guide is for you. Our tips will help you to keep your plant healthy and beautiful.

We cover everything from how to care for it and overwinter it to tips on repotting your Aloe. We also review some common problems you may encounter while growing Aloe aristata and provide some solutions.

About Aloe aristata 

Aloe aristata, also known as the torch plant or lace aloe, is a succulent plant that originates from South Africa. The leaves of this Aloe are short and angular with serrated edges and have a light green color when young but will turn dark green eventually if exposed to full sun.

Appearance-wise, this Aloe is incredibly similar to Haworthias and is frequently confused for one.

It’s often used as an indoor potted plant because of its diminutive size and easy-to-care-for nature.

It is the recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, making it a great addition to any space.

Botanical Name	Aloe aristata
Common Name	Torch Plant, Lace aloe
Family	Asphodelaceae
Plant Type	Succulent
Origin	South Africa, Lesotho
Maintenance	Low
Height	0-1 feet
Width	0-1 feet
Light	Full sun, Partial shade
Bloom season	Winter
Bloom color	Orange, Red
Water needs	Low
Soil	Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
Tolerant	Deer, Drought
Toxicity	Mildly-toxic
Hardiness (USDA)	8-12

Aloe aristata Care

Aloe aristata is a hardy succulent grown outdoors or indoors with little issue. Of course, it’s essential to take care not to overwater, but it forgives all else.

Light

Aloe aristata can tolerate full sun to partial shade but will only turn dark green if exposed to full sun.

Soil

Aloe aristata prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a wide range of pH levels.

Water

Aloe aristata likes lots of water during its growing season (spring-fall) with the caveat that the water drains quickly afterward.

In the winter months, reduce watering, so the soil dries out between waterings.

Avoid overwatering to protect from root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Aloe aristata prefers temperatures between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but should be kept above freezing.

This Aloe does not like humidity and should be kept away from overly humid places like bathrooms or kitchens.

Fertilizer

Aloe aristata is a slow-growing plant and does not need much fertilizer to function. But to promote faster growth, use a balanced fertilizer once or twice in the growing season (spring and winter) at half strength.

Pruning

The Torch Plant will grow slowly and take a long time to reach maturity. Therefore, it is best to let it grow naturally, but if you want to prune your plant, do so in the spring before new growth begins.

Cut back any dead leaves, branches, or stems at this time.

Potting and Repotting Aloe aristata

Aloe aristata is a very slow-growing plant and will not need to be repotted for many years. If you want to move your plant into a larger pot, do so when it is two or three years old. You can do this in the spring or fall. But do not take the plant out of its original container until all danger of frost has passed.

Prepare

How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

1. Remove the plant from the old container. 
2. Shake off all soil from the root ball.
3. Place your new container in position. 
4. Fill with potting mix until about 2 inches below the rim of the new container.
5. Place the plant in the container.
6. Water gently until water runs out the bottom of the new pot.

Propagating Aloe aristata by Seeds (Step-by-Step)

Spring or summer is the best time of the year to sow the seeds. 

1. Sow them in warm, well-drained soil in a sunny position. 
2. Keep the soil moist and let it remain slightly cool (60 degrees F) until germination.
3. Water the plants regularly during their first year and provide plenty of light.
4. When the plant is mature enough to be transplanted, move it to a larger pot with well-draining soil.

Propagating Aloe aristata by Offsets (Step-by-Step)

The Torch Plant can be propagated by taking offsets (small plantlets) from the parent plant. This should be done in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

1. Cut off the sucker from its parent plant and set it aside to callus over.
2. Once the wounds have healed, plant them in a pot of well-drained soil.
3. Give it plenty of light but not too much water at this stage.
4. When new growth appears on the offsets, start watering normally.

Blooms

The Aloe aristata blooms in winter with orange or red tubular flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.

The flowers are borne on a small stalk that rises above the foliage.

Toxicity

Aloe aristata is considered mildly toxic. It can cause skin irritation, so wash your hands after handling it. The sap is a mild irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes. If it gets in your eyes, clear them out with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention if irritation persists.

NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.

Common Pests

Mealybugs

Aloe aristata is susceptible to mealybugs, which are small (1/8 inch long), soft-bodied insects that damage plants by sucking sap from them. Mealybugs can be found on new growth and in leaf axils.

They tend to cluster together in clumps or colonies of many individuals.

Scale Insects

You can find scale insects on Aloe aristata. Scales are small, immobile creatures with hard shell that protects their bodies. They are slow-moving and often covered in a sticky substance called “honeydew” that attracts ants. Ants will defend these pests from predators such as birds and other insects by fighting off anyone threatening the scale insect colony.

Aphids

Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects with soft bodies with one or two short antennae. They can be green, black, or red and vary in size from 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. Aphids suck the sap out of Aloes and other succulents, which can cause leaves to turn yellow and curl up at the edges (called “curling).

Common Problems

FAQ