Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Ghost Aloe
Ghost Aloe is a garden cross of coral aloe and soap aloe with pale blue-gray leaves. It forms low colonies of rosettes about 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. The leaves take on a purple or amethyst tint in cool, dry weather. Tall stalks of vivid orange flowers rise in winter and early spring. Plant it as a low, spreading accent in a dry bed.
Best for: a low, spreading blue-gray accent in a dry bed, purple winter color, and orange flowers for hummingbirds.
The triangular leaves are pale blue-gray with small teeth. In cool, dry weather they take on a purple or amethyst tint.
It makes pups freely and spreads into low colonies about 6 to 12 inches tall. Each rosette reaches about 12 to 18 inches across.
Tall stalks of vivid orange flowers rise about 2 feet above the leaves in winter and early spring. Aloe flowers like these draw hummingbirds.
Waterlogged soil can rot it, so give it soil that drains fast. It is rated to about 22°F, so cover it on frosty nights.
- Closer group18 in apart
- Looser group24 in apart
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 lightly, about every 2 weeks in the warm months, and let the soil dry between drinks. Never let it sit in waterlogged soil.
No tested cold rating is published for this cross. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet to the ground on freezing nights, not plastic.
It pups freely into low colonies. Split 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 is Ghost Aloe?
It is a garden cross of coral aloe (Aloe striata) and soap aloe (Aloe maculata). Many plants sold as coral aloe are this cross.
Why are the leaves so pale?
Its leaves are a pale, dull blue-gray, much lighter than the green of most aloes. That color is normal for this cross, so there is nothing to fix.
Why is it turning purple?
Cool or dry weather gives the leaves a purple or amethyst tint. It is normal for this plant, so no change in care is needed.
How big does it get?
It grows about 6 to 12 inches tall, with rosettes about 12 to 18 inches across. It spreads with pups into colonies, so give it room or split clumps every few years.
When does it bloom?
It blooms in winter and early spring. Vivid orange flowers sit on tall stalks about 2 feet above the leaves, and you can cut the stalks off once they dry.
Does it need full sun?
It takes full sun or part shade. Most aloes in the Valley look better with some afternoon shade in summer, so give it that if you can.
How often should I water it?
It is drought tolerant, so water it lightly, about every 2 weeks in the warm months and never let it sit in soggy soil.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 22°F. Cover it with frost cloth or a sheet on freezing 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.
Ghost Aloe for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Ghost Aloe is a cross of coral aloe and soap aloe, grown for its pale blue-gray leaves. It spreads with pups into low colonies and blooms orange in winter. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and color to sun, water, frost 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.
Ghost Aloe, a coral aloe cross
Ghost Aloe is a cross of Aloe striata and Aloe maculata. Many plants in the trade sold as coral aloe are this cross. It has paler, dull blue-gray leaves with small teeth.
How big does Ghost Aloe get?
It grows about 6 to 12 inches tall with rosettes about 12 to 18 inches across. It pups freely into low colonies.
Ghost Aloe purple color
In cool or dry weather the leaves take on a purple or amethyst tint. The color is normal and comes and goes with the season.
When does Ghost Aloe bloom?
It blooms in winter and early spring. Vivid orange flowers sit on tall stalks about 2 feet above the leaves.
Watering Ghost Aloe in Arizona
Water lightly, about every 2 weeks in the warm months, and let the soil dry between drinks. Soil that drains fast keeps the roots from rotting.
Ghost Aloe vs Coral Aloe
True coral aloe has broad, gray leaves with smooth pink edges and is mostly solitary. Ghost Aloe has toothed, blue-gray leaves and pups freely.
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.