Garden Aloes

Aloe pseudorubroviolacea

Also Known As: Arabian Aloe

Category: Small to Medium Clumping Aloes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b - 11

Overview

Aloe pseudorubroviolacea is a Saudi Arabian, larger, solitary aloe with decumbent trunk, two foot wide rosettes of thick, blue-green leaves and 3 to four foot tall inflorescences of orange-red flowers late winter into spring.

Description

Aloe pseudorubroviolacea has a Rosette of very wide, recurved leaves that look somewhat like those of Aloe rubroviolacea (hence the name), with a lot of color variation including blues, pinks, purples and of course greens. The rosette angle always seems to be tilted or facing completely horizontally. This very striking aloe looks a lot like the 'real' Aloe rubroviolacea. Maybe as a mature plant A. pseudorubroviolacea does not have the same violet color in full sun as it's namesake, but as a seedlng, has a strong violet, purply leaf coloration. Very neat, attractive and unusual looking aloe which crawls along the ground as it grows. Stems can get as long as 12 feet, and usually grow downhill. Leaves are green, gray-blue, or blue-red. In winter, the foliage takes on pink tone. A. pseudorubroviolacea is similar to A. rubroviolacea but larger and less prolific, with more branches on the inflorescence.

Flowering

In it's native habitat Aloe pseudorubroviolacea flowers from winter though early spring. In California it's reportedly bloomed even later, often into summer. It's inflorescence is tall, multi-branched and has 1 inch long waxy orange-red, downward facing, flowers that are closely spaced. Rarely, Aloe pseudorubroviolacea may have yellow flowers.

Origin / History

This aloe is restricted to high mountains and cliff faces between 6000 to 7000 feet in elevation that overlook the coastal plain of the Red Sea in provinces of Saudi Arabia. It was first described by John Lavranos & I.S. (Sheila) Collenette in 2000 in the Cactus and Succulent Society of America Journal. This species is related to 3 others from Arabia or Eritrea which have similar inflorescences: A. porphyrostachys (stemless), A. rubroviolacea (smaller, more prolific), and A. schoelleri (yellow to pinkish orange flowers).

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Care / Cultivation

Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil - in its natural habitat this plant grows pendant or semi-pendant on steep slopes but can tolerate level ground if soil is well draining. Protect from snails which can disfigure the attractive leaves. Does not appear to have any unique requirements. Needs full sun to be appreciated best.

Frost Tenderness

Aloe pseudorubroviolacea is reportedly hardy down to 25 F.

Use in the Garden

Considered one of the more stunning landscape aloes.

Read about more Aloes that can be used as a focal points in your garden.

Learn More

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

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