Other Names:  Congolese Aloe

Description:

A clustering variety, producing tight, 5 inch rosettes on stems that trail on the ground; short, wedge shaped leaves with sharp teeth turn red in drought or cold; spikes of orange-red flowers rise in fall to winter; a wonderful garden or container accent

Ornamental Features

Congo Aloe's attractive succulent pointy leaves remain light green in color with prominent brick red tips and tinges of orange throughout the year on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. It features dainty spikes of brick red tubular flowers with orange overtones rising above the foliage from late fall to early winter.

Landscape Attributes

Congo Aloe is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Congo Aloe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Congo Aloe will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. Like most succulents and cacti, this plant prefers to grow in poor soils and should therefore never be fertilized. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Congo Aloe is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.