Aloe tomentosa

Also Known As: Hairy Green Aloe

Category: Single Head Stemless Aloes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b - 11

Overview

Native to Yemen, the unusual Aloe tomentosa is the most densely woolly of the several hairy aloe species that grow in the vicinity of the Red Sea. It produces numerous 3 foot tall multi-branching flower spikes topped with pyramidal clusters of tomentose sea-green blooms. This is a large, stemless, solitary plant that forms a single rosette to 2 feet tall by 4 feet wide with pale green leaves and is probably hardier than most would assume since it grows above 2500 meters (8000+ feet).

Description

This is a hardy aloe from the mountains of northeast Africa, Arabia and Yemen. The Hairy Green Aloe forms a pale green rosette that produces delightfully wooly, sea-green flowers in summer. Its single rosette of pale greenish-gray leaves can be up to 2 feet tall and 4 feet across. The sword shaped leaves of Aloe tomentosa are smooth, bright green with toothed edges and a light powdering of blue-green. Juvenile specimens have pale green leaves with many white dots and dashes. The leaves of Aloe tomentosa may have small, blunt, well-spaced marginal white teeth. Aloe tomentosa does not offset very often. Multiple plants are more likely divided heads. A fast-growing species that can reach full size of over 2 feet in diameter in just 5 or 6 years. This is a winter dormant aloe.

Flowering

The flowers of Aloe tomentosa alone make the plant very worthwhile to grow! The inflorescence grows to over 1 meter in height. The blooms are amazing. From mid spring to mid summer, large, highly branched inflorescences tipped with compact conical racemes of white, fuzzy flowers. Flower color is actually a light yellow-green, but because they are generally covered in thick wool (tomentose) the flowers appear white. Blooms are very attractive to bees and hummingbirds and are quite striking in the landscape.

Origin / History

Aloe tomentosa is actually only found in the mountains of Yemen and is probably hardier than most would assume since it grows above 7,000 feet. This aloe gets its name from its unique greenish-white flowers that are covered in thick wool. The unusual woolly flowers are also shared in Africa by Aloe molederana and in Saudi Arabia by either Aloe parvicapsula or Aloe woodii. Aloe tomentosa sometimes grows together with Aloe vacillans and when crossed creates the hybrid Aloe x menachensis. The plants found in Africa belong to Aloe molederana and those found in Saudi Arabia are either Aloe parvicapsula or Aloe woodii. The only truly shared trait in any of these plants are the woolly flowers.

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Care / Cultivation

The Hairy Green Aloe is very easy to grow and maintain. Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate infrequently - this is a winter dormant aloe but seems to tolerate winter rainfall if planted in a well-drained soil. Aloe tomentosa is an ideal water-wise plant, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, but it comes from summer-rainfall areas, and appreciates consistent moisture during the summer months. As the plant gets established, reduce the amount of water and don't water at all during the rainy season. Established plants can take care of themselves as they store water in their leaves and are well adapted to an arid environment. Seems to tolerate a decent amount of sun, though is more attractive with some afternoon relief in summer. In warmer country, keep it cool by filtering the afternoon sun, and also avoid using a dark-colored container. Aloe tomentosa prefers soils with a high lime content.

Frost Tenderness

Although from the warmer and more tropical Arabian Peninsula, this plant has proven hardy in California gardens to temperatures in the mid 20s° F (-7° C.)

Use in the Garden

Aloe tomentosa is easy to grow and makes a good landscape plant for gardens with full sun and reflected heat. Makes a beautiful container specimen with the added bonus of bringing the fluffy flowers closer to eye-level. Also use it in rock gardens and among large boulders as an interest plant. Sap from the leaves has been used for skin problems and to treat wounds, fevers, headaches, and inflammation of the eyes.

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

Learn More

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

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