Aloe Petricola (Stone Aloe): Growing And Care Guide

Aloe petricola is an excellent addition to your garden. It’s an extremely hardy plant, growing well in most soil types and tolerating heat, sun, and water consumption. Easy to grow and easier to maintain, it is every gardener’s dream.

Interested? Keep reading to learn more about the Stone Aloe, including its growing and care requirements.

About Aloe petricola

Aloe Petricola (Stone Aloe) is a small, spiky succulent that grows in the wilds of South Africa. This is a succulent plant that grows well in desert and arid regions.

Its leaves are slightly rounded and fleshy, covered in spines at the back and around the edges. They are easy to identify if one knows what to look for.

Use caution because this Aloe has sharp needles. If you are interested in keeping Aloe Petricola as a houseplant, it will grow indoors.

Botanical Name	Aloe Petricola
Common Name	Stone Aloe
Family	Asphodelaceae
Plant Type	Succulent
Origin	South Africa
Maintenance	Low
Height	1-2 feet
Width	2-3 feet
Light	Full sun, Partial sun
Bloom color	Red, Orange (Buds) White, Green (Flowers)
Water needs	Low
Soil	Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
Tolerant	Deer, Drought
Toxicity	non-toxic
Hardiness (USDA)	9-11

Aloe petricola Care

The Stone Aloe plant is easy to care for and will thrive in most environments. This plant can be kept indoors during winter as long as it receives adequate sunlight and water.

Light

Aloe petricola will thrive in full sunlight, but it also can be kept under partial shade indoors as a houseplant. However, it needs to be placed near a window with plenty of light during the day. Water

Soil

Aloe petricola will grow best in well-draining soil rich in organic material. The potting mix should be sandy, and water should drain easily from the bottom of the pot.

The Stone Aloe is more forgiving of poor soil than many other aloes.

Water

The Stone Aloe plant does not need much water. In fact, overwatering is among the most common mistakes novice gardeners make when caring for this succulent plant. Allow the potting soil to become dry between watering sessions.

If you are growing this plant indoors and have no access to natural sunlight, then you should water the plant only once a week.

Temperature and Humidity

The Stone Aloe is a very hardy succulent and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It prefers daytime temperatures between 75°F and 85°F, with nighttime temperatures falling as low as 55°F.

This Aloe does not like extreme temperature changes, so avoid placing it in drafty locations or near heat sources.

Fertilizer

Aloe petricola does not need to be fertilized regularly. However, if you decide to use fertilizer, it should only be done in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing.

Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to avoid shocking the roots.

Pruning

Pruning is not necessary with Aloe petricola, but it can be done if you want to control the plant’s size or shape. Use a sharp, sterile tool to carefully cut off any leaves that are past their prime.

Potting and Repotting Stone Aloe

Aloe petricola does not need to be repotted often. If you do choose to repot your plant, wait until it has outgrown its pot. You can then either transplant it into a larger container or divide the root ball and replant each section separately in smaller pots.

Wait for spring or summer to begin repotting. Winter stress is hard to recover from.

Prepare

How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

1. Remove the plant from its container. 
2. Add enough potting soil to lightly cover the surface of the old container, leaving about 2 inches at the top for more soil.
3. Place your Stone Aloe plant into the new pot and gently push down on it to ensure there are no air pockets between its roots and the soil.
4. Water lightly and wait for the plant to take root.

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

1. Sow the Aloe seeds on the surface of a well-drained, moistened, sterile seed-raising mix. 
2. Cover with a thin layer of fine sifted soil or vermiculite to keep the seeds from drying out while they germinate.
3. Keep the tray in a warm place between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity.
4. Check daily for sprouting by gently pressing down on top of the soil.
5. Seeds will germinate before two weeks if kept moist and warm.
6. Relocate the seedlings to a slightly bigger pot and wait for further growth.

Blooms

Juvenile plants bloom differently from their adult counterparts. On adults, multiple racemes bearing two-toned green and white flowers are a common occurrence come flowering season. On younger plants, only one inflorescence emerges from the center of the rosette, if that.

The flowers are red and orange when budding and appear in a cluster atop the racemes.

Toxicity

Aloe petricola is non-toxic. In fact, it has seen frequent use as a stomach ache cure for the locals. 

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

Mealybugs are small, white insects that appear as cotton balls on the plant’s surface. They suck sap from the leaves and stems of your Stone Aloe, causing them to wither and die. You can get rid of mealybugs by simply wiping them off with a paper towel or spraying them with an insecticide such as neem oil or pyrethrum spray.

Scale Insects

Stone Aloes are particularly susceptible to white scales. These tiny, white insects appear to be stuck to the surface of your Aloe’s leaves and stems. Use horticultural or neem oils for treatment.

Snout Beetle

Snout beetles are tiny, black insects that appear to have a snout. They crawl over the Aloe’s leaves and stems, eating them and leaving holes in their wake.

Common Problems

FAQ