Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Aloe karasbergensis
Aloe karasbergensis is a large rosette aloe from Namibia and the Northern Cape, a close relative of coral aloe. Its pale blue-green leaves are lined with dark stripes and edged in a hard white margin, and they blush pink in full sun. In mid to late winter it sends up branched stalks of pink to red flowers, and hummingbirds visit them. It is grown as a single accent in a dry garden or a large pot.
Best for: a single striped accent in a dry garden or large pot, and pink to red winter flowers for hummingbirds.
The pale blue-green leaves carry dark stripes and a hard white edge. In full sun they take on pink tones, so plant it where it gets plenty of light.
Branched stalks of pink to red tube flowers rise in mid to late winter. Hummingbirds come to feed on them.
It grows as a single rosette about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and can clump with age. It is grown in dry gardens and large containers.
Overwatering or heavy soil can split the leaves open. Give it soil that drains fast and little extra water in summer.
- Closer group18 in apart
- Looser group24 in apart
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 sparingly and give little extra water in summer. Let the soil dry between drinks. Overwatering can split the leaves open.
It is rated to about 20 to 25°F with dry soil. 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.
Cut the dead flower stalks off at the base once the winter bloom finishes. It usually grows as a single rosette, so there are few pups to manage.
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.
How big does Aloe karasbergensis get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, usually as a single rosette that can clump with age. Give it that much room in a bed or pot.
Is it the same as coral aloe?
It is a close relative, and some lists treat it as a subspecies of coral aloe (Aloe striata). Both have branched stalks of pink to red flowers.
When does it bloom?
It blooms in mid to late winter, with branched stalks of pink to red tube flowers. Cut the stalks off once the flowers fade.
Does it bring hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds visit aloe flowers like these in the cool season, so leave the stalks up until the flowers finish.
Does it need full sun?
It takes full sun to light shade. Full sun brings out pink tones in the leaves. In the Valley, most aloes look better with some afternoon shade in summer.
How often should I water it?
Water it sparingly, since it needs little extra water in summer. Let the soil dry between drinks.
Why are the leaves splitting?
Overwatering or heavy soil can split the leaves open. Cut back on water and make sure the soil drains fast.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 20 to 25°F, with dry soil. Cover it on colder nights with frost cloth or a sheet, not plastic.
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 karasbergensis for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Aloe karasbergensis is a striped rosette aloe from the Karas mountains of Namibia and the Northern Cape. It is also listed as a subspecies of coral aloe. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and leaf color to sun, water, cold and flowers.
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Aloe karasbergensis, the striped coral aloe relative
Aloe karasbergensis grows wild from Namibia's Karas mountains to the Northern Cape. Some lists treat it as a subspecies of coral aloe. It is known for pale blue-green leaves with dark stripes.
How big does Aloe karasbergensis get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Most plants stay a single rosette, and some clump with age.
When does Aloe karasbergensis bloom?
It blooms in mid to late winter. The branched stalks carry pink to red flowers, and hummingbirds visit them.
Watering Aloe karasbergensis in Arizona
Water sparingly and give little extra water in summer. Let the soil dry between drinks. Overwatering or heavy soil can split the leaves.
Is Aloe karasbergensis cold hardy?
It is rated to about 20 to 25°F when the soil is dry. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet on colder nights.
Sun for Aloe karasbergensis in Phoenix
It takes full sun to light shade. Full sun brings out pink tones. Some afternoon shade helps most aloes through the Valley summer.
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.