Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Aloe glauca
Aloe glauca, the blue aloe, is a South African aloe grown for its powdery, silvery blue leaves edged in small teeth. It forms a clump of rosettes about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and the leaves can blush pink in cold weather. Spikes of orange-red flowers rise above it, and hummingbirds and bees visit them. It adds cool blue color to a dry, sunny bed or a large pot.
Best for: cool blue color in a dry, sunny bed, a clumping accent in a large pot, and orange-red flowers for hummingbirds and bees.
The stiff leaves are a powdery, silvery blue-green with small teeth on the edges. In cold weather they can take on a pink blush.
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and forms a clump from pups at the base. It fits a dry bed or a large pot.
Tall spikes of orange-red flowers rise above the rosettes. Hummingbirds and bees visit them.
It prefers dry soil in both summer and winter, so plant it where water drains fast. It is rated to the low to mid 20s°F, so cover it on colder nights.
Give it a few days to a week without water after planting. After that, water it on a steady schedule until new growth shows it has rooted, and let the soil dry in between.
Water only occasionally once rooted and let the soil dry fully. It prefers to stay dry in summer and in winter.
It is rated to about 23 to 25°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. Pink leaves after cold are a stress sign.
It clumps from pups at the base. Divide crowded clumps every few years and cut dead flower stalks after bloom.
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 color are the leaves?
The leaves are a powdery, silvery blue-green, which is why it is called blue aloe. Set it against green plants so the color stands out.
How big does Aloe glauca get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and slowly forms a clump of rosettes. Give it that much room in a bed or a large pot.
Why are the leaves turning pink?
Cold stress can turn the blue leaves pink. The color is a sign of cold, not disease.
When does it bloom?
It blooms from late winter into early spring on tall spikes of orange-red flowers. Cut the stalks off once the flowers fade.
Does it bring hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers, so plant it where you can watch them in late winter.
Does it need full sun?
It grows in full sun, but light shade is best in the low desert. In the Valley, plant it where it gets some afternoon shade in summer.
How often should I water it?
Water it only now and then, about every 2 weeks in the warm months once it is rooted. It prefers to stay on the dry side in both summer and winter.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 23 to 25°F. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet on colder nights.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. Aloe is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Chewing the leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy, so keep pets from chewing it.
Aloe glauca for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Aloe glauca, the blue aloe, is a clumping South African aloe with powdery, silvery blue leaves. It blooms orange-red on tall spikes. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard or pot, from size and color to sun, water and cold.
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.
Aloe glauca, the blue aloe
Aloe glauca is a South African aloe grown for its powdery, silvery blue leaves. It forms a clump of rosettes from pups at the base.
How big does Aloe glauca get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It spreads slowly with pups at the base.
Aloe glauca leaf color
The leaves are silvery blue-green. In cold weather they can blush pink, which is a normal sign of cold stress.
When does Aloe glauca bloom?
It blooms from late winter into early spring on tall spikes of orange-red flowers. Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers.
Watering Aloe glauca in Arizona
Water only occasionally, about every 2 weeks in the warm months once rooted. It prefers dry soil in both summer and winter.
Is Aloe glauca cold hardy?
It is rated to about 23 to 25°F. Cover it on colder nights with frost cloth or a sheet, draped to the ground.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.