Lace Aloe (Aristaloe aristata)

Overview

If you love the architectural look of an Aloe Vera but have a cat that loves to chew on plants, you are usually out of luck, as the Aloe Vera is considered highly toxic. Fortunately, the Lace Aloe (Aristaloe aristata, formerly Aloe aristata) is an excellent alternative. It looks incredibly similar to a true Aloe, but it belongs to a completely different genus and is listed as non-toxic and pet-safe by the ASPCA.

Native to South Africa, it is a compact, stemless succulent that grows in a tight, spherical rosette. Its dark green, fleshy leaves are heavily speckled with raised white bumps (tubercles) and edged with soft, white, tooth-like spines. The very tip of each leaf ends in a long, soft, white bristle, giving the plant a delicate, "lacy" appearance.

Light Requirements: Avoiding Sunburn

Because it looks like an Aloe Vera, most people make the mistake of placing it in the hottest, brightest, most blasting direct sunlight they can find. The Lace Aloe actually despises harsh afternoon sun. In the wild, it grows tucked beneath larger shrubs that shade it during the hottest part of the day.

If you bake the plant in a west-facing window, it will suffer severe sun stress. The leaves will curl tightly inward into a ball to protect the center, and the entire plant will turn a muddy, unhealthy brown or reddish-purple. It prefers bright, indirect light, with perhaps a few hours of gentle, direct morning sun from an east-facing window.

Watering: The Drought and Drench Method

Like all succulents, the Lace Aloe stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves. It is highly drought-tolerant and highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered.

You must allow the potting soil to dry out 100% completely before you water again. To test this, stick a wooden skewer deep into the pot; if it comes out slightly damp, wait another week. When the soil is completely bone dry, soak the pot thoroughly until water flows out the drainage holes.

Crucial rule: Never pour water directly into the center of the rosette. If water sits in the tight crown of the leaves, it will cause fungal crown rot, which can quickly lead to plant loss. Always water the soil directly.

The Brown Tips Issue

While overwatering causes yellow, mushy leaves, underwatering causes the tips of the leaves to dry up, turn brown, and become crispy. While the plant can survive a long drought, if you leave it completely dry for months, it will sacrifice the thin tips of its leaves to keep the core of the plant alive. If you notice brown, crispy tips, you likely need to increase your watering frequency slightly during the summer growing season.

Soil and Potting

Standard indoor potting soil can hold too much moisture and may quickly lead to severe root rot in this plant, as it tends to suffocate the shallow root system. You must use a fast-draining cactus and succulent mix. Amend standard cactus soil with 50% perlite or pumice to ensure that excess water drains away instantly. It has a very shallow root system, so plant it in a wide, shallow pot rather than a deep one.

The Flowers

If kept happy, the Lace Aloe will surprise you in the summer by shooting up a tall, slender stalk (often 1 to 2 feet high) topped with tubular, bright orange-red flowers. These flowers are spectacular and are known to attract hummingbirds if the plant is kept outdoors. Once the flowers die and dry up, use sterile scissors to cut the stalk off at the base.