Garden Aloes

Aloe Blue Elf

Also Known As: Blue Elf

Category: Small to Medium Clumping Aloes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9a - 11

Overview

Aloe 'Blue Elf' is a vigorous tight-clumping aloe that grows to 18 inches tall by 2 feet wide with narrow upright gray-blue leaves that contrast well with spikes of orange flowers that appear mostly from early winter to early spring.

Description

Aloe Blue Elf is tight-clumping, stem-less, dwarf aloe that offers a dense rosette and grows to eighteen inches tall and two feet wide. Narrow leaves are toothed on the margins, pale blue-green in color and grow tightly together in an upright habit. At maturity it can reach 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. It also produces many offsets that can be used for propagation. Moderate stress from sun and drought bring on a rosy flush. Foliage tips may have a reddish tinge in extreme temperatures.

Flowering

'Blue Elf' explodes with showy spikes of orangey-red blooms in late winter through early spring. The tall flower spikes are frequented by hummingbirds in late winter to early spring.

Origin / History

This cultivar is a cross of A. glauca x A. humilis and may have been one of Edward C. Hummel's hybrids.

Discover more Hybrid Aloes

Care / Cultivation

Plant in full sun or light shade - even grows well in deep shade where it is a bit greener, more prostrate and does not flower. Aloe Blue Elf is drought-resistant, but prefers occasional, supplemental irrigation during the hot, dry season. Requires porous soil with excellent drainage and ample airflow. Blue Elf tolerates reflected heat and colder temperatures better than most aloe’s

Frost Tenderness

It has proven hardy from 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use in the Garden

Since Aloe Blue Elf is is low-growing and clumping in form it's an excellent choice for mass plantings, rock gardens, waterwise borders or containers. Also use it in bird and hummingbird gardens, in masses with other low-water plants, or along ponds, fountains, or swimming pools. Hummingbirds and bees love the tubular orange flowers that appear on tall spikes during the spring and summer.

See other Aloes that make good border plants

Learn More

The information on this page about Aloe Blue Elf has been gathered and summarized from the sources below. Visit these pages to learn more.

Aloe Blue Elf for sale

Buy Aloe Blue Elf for your garden.

Back to all Aloes