Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Aloe Crosby's Prolific
Aloe Crosby's Prolific is a small garden cross of gold tooth aloe and spider aloe, known for how freely it makes pups. It forms clumps of narrow, deep green rosettes dotted with white, about 6 to 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide. From late winter into spring it sends up bright orange to red-orange flowers, and hummingbirds visit them. It suits pots, edging and small beds.
Best for: a quick-filling clump for a pot or small bed, low edging, and orange flowers for hummingbirds from late winter into spring.
It produces lots of pups, most of all in bright sun with good drainage. A single plant fills a pot or small bed with a clump up to about 2 feet wide.
It stays about 6 to 12 inches tall, so it works along a path or the front of a bed. The narrow leaves carry white dots and small teeth.
From late winter into spring, stalks up to about 18 inches carry bright orange to red-orange tube flowers. Hummingbirds come to feed on them.
Overwatering causes root rot, so let the soil dry between drinks. It is rated to about 25°F and can show damage below 30°F, so cover it on cold nights.
- Tight group2 ft apart, center to center
- Looser group3 ft apart, center to center
After planting, wait a few days to a week before the first drink so any broken roots can heal. Then water it regularly until it roots in, letting the soil dry between drinks.
Water more in summer, but let the soil dry fully between drinks. Water only sparingly in winter. Too much water can rot the roots.
It is rated to about 25°F, with leaf damage possible below 30°F. On frosty nights, drape frost cloth or a sheet all the way to the ground, not plastic, and take it off in the morning. A tree canopy overhead also helps.
It makes pups quickly, most of all in bright sun. Wait until a pup is at least 2 inches across with its own roots, then cut it free, let it dry and replant it.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is Crosby's Prolific a cross of?
It is a garden cross of Aloe nobilis, the gold tooth aloe, and Aloe humilis, the spider aloe. It grows and is cared for like both parents.
How big does it get?
It grows about 6 to 12 inches tall and up to about 2 feet wide as the pups fill in. Give it that much room in a pot or bed.
Does it make a lot of pups?
Yes. It makes pups quickly and freely, especially in bright sun with good drainage. Split them off to fill more pots.
When does it bloom?
It blooms from late winter through spring, sometimes again in fall, with bright orange to red-orange flowers on stalks up to about 18 inches. Cut the stalks off once they fade.
Does it bring hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds visit the tube flowers, so leave the stalks up until the flowers finish.
Why are the leaves turning pink or orange?
Bright sun, cold or drought can flush the leaves salmon pink or reddish orange as a sign of stress. Give it some afternoon shade in summer and a drink when the soil is dry.
How often should I water it?
Water it more in summer, but let the soil dry fully between drinks. Water only sparingly in winter, since too much water can rot the roots.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 25°F, and leaves can show damage below 30°F. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet on colder nights.
How do I separate the pups?
Wait until a pup is at least 2 inches across and has its own roots. Then cut it free, let it dry, and plant it.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. Aloe is toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and chewing the leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Plant it where pets cannot chew on it.
Aloe Crosby's Prolific for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Aloe Crosby's Prolific is a cross of Aloe nobilis and Aloe humilis that clumps quickly with pups. It stays under a foot tall and blooms orange from late winter into spring. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard or pot, from size and color to water, cold and pups.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Crosby's Prolific aloe, a gold tooth and spider aloe cross
Crosby's Prolific comes from a cross of Aloe nobilis and Aloe humilis. It forms neat clumps of narrow, white-dotted rosettes. It is known for how freely it makes pups.
How big does Crosby's Prolific get?
It stays about 6 to 12 inches tall, and the clump spreads up to about 2 feet wide as pups fill in.
When does Crosby's Prolific bloom?
It blooms from late winter into spring, sometimes again in fall. The bright orange flowers sit on stalks up to about 18 inches, and hummingbirds visit them.
Watering Crosby's Prolific in Arizona
Water more in summer but let the soil dry fully between drinks. Water only sparingly in winter. Soil that drains fast prevents root rot.
Is Crosby's Prolific cold hardy?
It is rated to about 25°F, with leaf damage possible below 30°F. Cover it on colder nights with frost cloth or a sheet, not plastic.
Crosby's Prolific in pots
It is a good small pot plant that fills in quickly. Use a pot with a drainage hole and a gritty mix, and split off pups as it crowds.
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