Aloes impress with imposing leaf rosettes and attractive flowers if they are well cared for. There are over 440 varieties, of which only the most important are briefly presented here. These include specimens with or without a trunk, edible and poisonous varieties and the well-known aloe vera. It should be noted that there are almost no hardy aloe varieties, they must all be overwintered frost-free.
Aloe from A to F
Aloe aculeata
This variety belongs to the stemless variants and shines with a large rosette of leaves with thick leaves, which are typically covered with defensive thorns for aloe species. The leaves are up to 60 cm long and 12 cm wide.
- at best a creeping trunk
- Inflorescence reaches 1 m in height
- Lemon yellow flower color
Aloe africana
As its name shows, the variety comes from Africa. The leaf rosette sits on a trunk. The individual leaves are up to 30 cm long. The flowers appear as candle-like densely populated inflorescences.
- Stem height up to 4 m
- Inflorescence 60 to 80 cm
- branched growth
- Flower color yellow to yellow-orange
Aloe arborescens
This variety belongs to the Baumaloen family and grows to a height of a few meters. Its specialty lies in its medicinal effect, which is scientifically proven because it is approved as a medicinal plant. So this aloe is edible. In contrast to other aloes, it can withstand a few minus degrees without risk.
Tip: Edible does not mean that all parts of the plant are edible.
- Stem height up to 3 m
- Inflorescence 60 to 80 cm high
- Flowers are scarlet
Aloe bainesii or Aloe barberae
This variety is also a tree aloe that grows to between 18 and 20 m high in its home. However, it grows very slowly. The trunk diameter can reach 1 to 3 m.
- The variety comes from South Africa
- Inflorescence 40 to 60 cm long
- Flower color pink to pinkish purple
Aloe broomii
This aloe is also native to South Africa. It forms a short trunk, the leaves are up to 30 cm long and 10 cm wide at the base.
- Stem height up to 1 m
- Inflorescence becomes 1.50 m long
- Flower color white or lemon yellow with a brown tip
Aloe chabaudii
The leaves of this variety are reddish-green in color at the edge, which gives it a very attractive appearance. This aloe is one of the undemanding varieties, its home is in Africa, where it occurs at an altitude of up to 1600 meters. The species likes to form small groups.
- Inflorescence 60 to 80 cm long
- grows branches
- Brick red flower color
Aloe claviflora
As with the other varieties, the leaves of this aloe are provided with small thorns. The species has no trunk, the leaves are about 20 cm long. The inflorescence, which can reach 50 cm, becomes longer.
- Flower color red with a green tip
- yellowing after pollination
Aloe cryptopoda
The plant grows singly and without a trunk. However, sometimes it sprouts and then grows in groups. The leaves stand upright and are pointed. They are between 60 and 90 cm long.
- Inflorescence up to 175 cm long
- grows branches
- Flower color orange-scarlet and yellowish tapering
Aloe dichotoma - the quiver tree
As the German name shows, the variety belongs to the Baumaloen family. The crown forms a shape reminiscent of a quiver, hence the second part of the name. The blue-green leaves are about 35 cm long.
- Another synonym: Kokerboom
- Inflorescence up to 30 cm long
- grows branches
- Canary yellow flower color
Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe
This variety also belongs to the Baumaloen, whereby it only forms a short trunk, which reaches at most 3 to 5 m in height. Sometimes the trunk is covered with dead leaves. The reddish tinged leaves are particularly long, they can reach up to 100 cm in length. This aloe is also one of the edible varieties. The thickened sap of the plant is used as a remedy.
- The inflorescence is branched
- Flower color scarlet or orange
Aloe from G to P
Aloe grandidentata
The big "teeth" on the leaves and the piebald leaf pattern are interesting things about this aloe. She likes to grow in groups and
- Origin Botswana or South Africa
- Inflorescence about 90 cm long
- grows branches
- Flower color reddish, sometimes white
Aloe greenii
The leaves of this aloe are up to 45 cm long, making it one of the larger varieties. The white speckles and yellow-orange teeth on the leaves are interesting.
- comes from South Africa
- Inflorescence 130 cm long
- Flower color light to dark pink
Aloe koenenii
At a young age this aloe is spotted white, later the leaves are only green in color. Compared to other species, it has very slender, upright leaves. It forms a trunk, but it grows prostrate.
- comes from North Africa
- Inflorescence up to 120 cm long
- grows branches
- Flowers carmine red
Aloe lineata
It initially grows close to the ground and forms a trunk with age. The leaves are comparatively thin and long.
- Stem height up to 2 m
- Native South Africa
- Inflorescence 75 to 100 cm long
- Salmon pink flower color
Aloe lutescens
This aloe belongs to the stem-forming varieties and becomes about 80 cm high. The inflorescence towers over the plant another 150 cm, making it look particularly impressive. The flowering time is in winter.
- make groups
- Inflorescence in three parts
- Flower color yellow to reddish
Aloe macrocarpa
The name of this species means large fruit and indicates the fruiting of the aloe. The leaves are 30 cm long and green with white flecks. The plant remains stemless or only forms a short stem.
- Inflorescence 80 to 100 cm
- grows branches
- Flowers scarlet red
Aloe mitriformis
This aloe is one of the smaller species. The leaves are only 20 cm long, the rosette remains rather small. Although the trunk can reach 2 m in length, it only grows lying down.
- Inflorescence 60 cm long
- Flower color scarlet
- clear spines on the leaves
Aloe peglerae
The leaves of this aloe are blue-green and have the typical small teeth that are supposed to ward off predators. In its country of origin, the plant occurs at an altitude of up to 1700 m. It grows there individually or in small groups and does not form a trunk or just a prostrate, short one. The shape of the leaves is interesting. They grow curved inwards, giving the plant an almost spherical appearance.
- Inflorescence 40 cm
- Flower color with a creamy white to reddish tinge
- is one of the endangered species
Aloe percrassa
The species grows compactly with thick, fleshy leaves. It is also on the red list, as its wild populations are steadily shrinking. It forms no or a prostrate trunk.
- Homeland Ethiopia, Eritrea
- Inflorescence branched
- Height 60 to 80 cm
- Flower color scarlet
Aloe plicatilis
In contrast to most other types of aloe, the leaves of this species are not as defensive. The teeth are rather small and barely visible. In addition, the leaves are not as thick as other aloes. The trunk can reach a height of 5 m and forms a branched crown.
- Inflorescence 50 cm high
- Flower color scarlet
Aloe polyphylla - Spiral aloe
- trunkless
- thick, branched inflorescence
- 50 to 60 cm high
- Flower color light red to salmon pink
Aloe pruinosa
The leaves of this aloe have a particularly strong and attractive pattern. Lighter, irregular bands emerge on a green background. The slender leaves are up to 50 cm long. The trunk can also be 50 cm long, but is not noticeable because of its creeping growth.
- Inflorescence up to 2 m in length
- grows branches
- Flower color brownish-red to pinkish-white
Aloe from S to V
Aloe saponaria or maculata - soap aloe
The gel of this plant can be used to wash both hands and laundry. It is used in cosmetic products. The aloe grows individually or in dense groups and does not form a stem.
- Inflorescence 40 to 100 cm
- Flower color salmon pink, orange, yellow or red
Aloe somaliensis
This aloe has almost no spines and looks very beautiful with its dense leaf pattern. It is originally from Somalia, where it grows stemless and forms small groups. It is also one of the endangered species.
- Inflorescence 60 to 80 cm in length
- branched
- pink or scarlet flowers with white flecks
Aloe spinosissima
It is sometimes referred to as spider aloe and is a cultivated form of aloe. The leaves are long and thin. The growth takes place in dense, small associations. It is therefore used as a ground cover in warm regions.
Aloe striatula
With a trunk of 175 cm in length, it clearly belongs to the tree allous, even if it remains comparatively small. The leaves are about 60 cm long and have a stripe that gives the species its name.
- Inflorescence 40 cm long
- Flower color orange to reddish
Aloe suprafoliata
It shows an interesting growth at a young age, which gave this aloe its name. The pages lie open from the middle on top of one another like the pages in a book.
- trunkless
- Inflorescence up to 100 cm
- Flowers pink to scarlet and frosted
Aloe vanbalenii
It is strong green when young, later the color changes to red-green. Its home is in South Africa, where it grows widespread.
- trunkless
- Inflorescence branched
- 100 cm high
- Flower color rusty yellow or cloudy red
Aloe vera
This is the most famous representative of the aloes. Not least because it is said to have a far-reaching healing effect. Parts of the plant are edible, especially the gel inside the leaf. However, there are a few things to consider during preparation, otherwise poisoning can occur.
Note: Using ready-made aloe vera products is safer than trying to get the gel inside the leaves yourself.
- short stem or stemless
- Leaves 50 cm long
- Flower color orange
- Origin Arabian Peninsula