Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Dawe's Aloe
Dawe's Aloe is a clumping aloe from the mountains of East Africa that grows upright clusters of stems about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. In winter it sends up tall stalks of orange-red flowers, and hummingbirds visit them. It brings winter color to pots and planters, grows as an accent under larger trees, and looks good massed with other aloes. It needs only infrequent water in the hot months.
Best for: winter color in a pot or planter, an accent under larger trees, and massing with other aloes and low-water plants.
Tall stalks of orange-red flowers rise above the clump in winter, and hummingbirds come to feed on them.
It grows well as an understory plant beneath larger trees and shrubs. The shade overhead also helps it through the Phoenix summer.
It is grown in containers and planters for winter color you can see up close. It also looks good massed with other aloes and low-water plants.
It does better with some shade in summer in Phoenix, so avoid a spot in full afternoon sun. It is rated to about 25°F, and frost can damage the leaves, so cover it on colder nights.
After planting, wait a few days to a week before the first drink so broken roots can heal. Then water regularly until it roots in, letting the soil dry between drinks.
Water it now and then in the hot, dry months, since it looks better with occasional water than with none. Keep it drier in winter.
It is rated to about 25°F, and frost can damage the leaves. On frosty nights, drape frost cloth or a sheet all the way to the ground, not plastic, and take it off in the morning.
It does better with some shade in the Phoenix summer and grows well under larger trees and shrubs. Cut spent flower stalks after the winter 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.
How big does Dawe's Aloe get?
It grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, as a clump of upright, elongated stems that makes many pups.
When does Dawe's Aloe bloom?
It blooms in winter, mostly mid to late winter, with tall stalks of orange-red flowers.
Does it attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds come to the flowers, so plant it where you can watch them from a window or patio.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
It takes full sun to light shade, but it does better with some shade in summer in Phoenix. A spot under a larger tree works well.
How often should I water it?
Water it now and then in the hot, dry months. It is fairly drought tolerant but looks better with an occasional drink than with none. Keep it drier in winter.
How cold hardy is Dawe's Aloe?
It is rated to about 25°F. Frost can damage the leaves, so drape frost cloth or a sheet over it on colder nights.
What do the leaves look like?
It has long green leaves with closely spaced reddish-brown teeth along the edges.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes. It is grown in containers and planters for winter color. Use a pot with a drainage hole and a gritty mix.
What soil does it need?
It does well in most soils as long as they drain well. Soggy soil can rot the roots.
Is Dawe's Aloe 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 will not chew it.
Dawe's Aloe for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Dawe's Aloe, Aloe dawei, is a clumping aloe from the mountains of East and central Africa. It forms upright clusters of stems and flowers orange-red in winter. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and shade to water, cold and flowers.
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.
What is Dawe's Aloe?
Dawe's Aloe, Aloe dawei, comes from the mountains of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. It is a clumping aloe with upright clusters of elongated stems, and it flowers orange-red in winter.
How big does Dawe's Aloe get?
It grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, and it makes many pups that fill in as a clump.
Does Dawe's Aloe need shade in Phoenix?
Yes, some summer shade helps. It does better with shade in the Phoenix summer, and it grows well under larger trees and shrubs.
When does Dawe's Aloe bloom?
It blooms in winter, mostly mid to late winter. The tall stalks carry orange-red flowers that hummingbirds visit.
How often do you water Dawe's Aloe?
Water it now and then in the hot, dry months. It looks better with regular water than when left fully dry, and it should stay on the drier side in winter.
Is Dawe's Aloe cold hardy?
It is rated to about 25°F. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet on colder nights, draped to the ground, not plastic.
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.