Aloe principis is a beautiful plant that can bring a burst of color to your home or office. However, it is essential to understand this plant’s proper care and growing conditions before it can grow and thrive.
This guide will teach you how to grow Aloe principis and help it reach its ultimate potential.
in this article:
About Aloe principis
Aloe principis is a cross between two other species of aloe: Aloe ferox and Aloe arborescens. Both of these plants are native to South Africa.
It was created to have the best qualities of both aloes. The resulting plant has all the benefits of both parent plants, with some additional characteristics that make it unique.
Related Article: Different types of Aloe succulents and common varieties
It is a large, tree-like succulent bearing evergreen leaves and a tall stem. The leaves are smooth and uniformly green, forming rosettes atop a solitary trunk. Dead leaves cover the sides of the trunk and remain there as the plant grows taller and taller. This is a natural coating of protection and should not be removed.
It is an attractive plant with a multitude of uses. It makes an excellent ornamental plant and can be planted outdoors as a central garden feature.
| Botanical Name | Aloe x principis |
| Common Name | Aloe principis |
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 6-9 feet |
| Width | 3-6 feet |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom season | Winter |
| Bloom color | Red, Orange |
| Water needs | Low |
| Soil | Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy |
| Tolerant | Deer, Drought |
| Toxicity | non-toxic |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 9-11 |
Aloe principis Care
Aloe principis is an easy-to-care-for plant that requires little attention. It will thrive anywhere as long as it is provided with some basic care.
Light
Aloe principis prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. You can place it outdoors in a garden setting, but it needs to be protected from strong winds.
Dappled sunlight can also be acceptable, but it should be moved to a more sunny location if it begins to decline.
Soil
Aloe principis does not have particular soil requirements but needs good drainage. A sandy loam with some organic matter added will work well. It can even be planted in a container when young.
Water
Aloe principis should be watered regularly but not excessively. It will tolerate drought conditions in the summertime but may become susceptible to rot if allowed to stand in water for any length of time.
A negligent gardener’s best friend; it will not wither or die out even if you forget to water it for a couple of months.
Temperature and Humidity
Aloe principis is a tropical plant and will not tolerate cold temperatures. Therefore, it should be kept indoors when the temperature drops below 50 degrees F. The optimum temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
It prefers dry environments but can handle moderate humidity conditions as well.
Fertilizer
Aloe principis is a succulent plant and does not require much fertilizer. Applying slow-release, balanced fertilizer once or twice a year will be enough to keep it healthy and happy.
Pruning
The best time to prune an aloe plant is in the spring or summer when it is actively growing. You can trim any brown leaves back. Once your aloe has established itself, it will not need much pruning.
When pruning, be careful not to hack away at the ‘petticoat’ covering the plant’s stem. This is a layer of dead leaves that have died back and now cover the surface of the stem. This covering is a natural mechanism to combat cold drafts and sudden temperature shifts. Without it, the plant will be exposed to the elements.
Potting and Repotting Aloe principis
Aloe principis can be potted in a wide variety of containers. It does well in clay pots or plastic planters, with soil mix or without. Aloe plants like it warm, so keep them out of drafts.
If you’re using a potting mix that doesn’t drain well, then it may be necessary to add perlite or gravel to the bottom of the pot before putting in any soil.
Only young plants need repotting, as larger specimens are almost always planted in a garden bed. Only consider repotting when the plant has begun to outgrow its container, often around the third year.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its current container. Lift the plant by holding onto its leaves and carefully removing it from its old container.
- Discard all of the old soil. Remove any dead or dying roots with a sharp knife.
- Fill in the new pot with the preselected potting mix.
- Place the plant in the new pot, positioning it, so the soil level is below the pot’s rim. Press down on the soil around your Aloe to ensure that there are no air pockets and that all roots are covered by soil.
- Water thoroughly until water begins to drain from holes in the bottom of the container.
Propagating Aloe principis by Cuttings (Step-by-Step)
Since this is a hybrid of pre-existing species, any attempt to propagate by seeds will usually result in a specimen resembling the parents of the hybrid rather than the hybrid itself.
Propagation is usually carried out by cuttings. Here how:
- Choose healthy, unblemished leaves. Cut off the leaf near its base with a sharp knife or scissors. Ensure the cutting isn’t too big for your growing medium to handle. If necessary, break up your cutting into smaller pieces using a clean pair of scissors.
- Allow the cutting to callus over and heal over the next few days.
- Dip the base of your cutting into rooting hormone powder (if using) and place it into your growing medium of choice.
- Place a clear plastic bag over the growing medium and place the pot in an area with indirect sunlight.
- Allow the cutting to root for two weeks, then move it into direct sunlight.
Blooms
Flowers appear in the winter atop branching stalks that rise from the center of the rosettes. These red-to-orange tubular flowers make a splash in any winter garden.
If multiple instances of Aloe principis are planted in the same space, they all bloom simultaneously, putting on a stunning display.
Toxicity
Aloe principis is non-toxic. It is non-toxic to humans if ingested and has no known adverse effects.
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 soft-bodied insects that live on the plant’s surface and suck sap from the leaves and stems. They appear as white cottony masses on the plant and can be difficult to spot until they have spread throughout the entire garden.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are tiny, immobile insects that attach themselves to the plant and feed on its sap. They look like little bumps on the surface of leaves and stems and are usually covered with a hard shell that protects them from predators. Use horticultural oil to get rid of them.
Aphids
Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that are also sap suckers. They leave a sticky residue on the plant’s surface that attracts ants, compounding the problems. Rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab is an effective solution.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy