The San Marcos Growers Collection

San Marcos Growers is a wholesale nursery that has been shaping California's botanical landscape since 1979. Known for their dedication to cultivating plants suited for Mediterranean climates, they offer a diverse selection of California natives, exotic succulents, and more. While San Marcos Growers doesn't sell directly to the public, we're bringing a portion of their collection of hard-to-find Aloes straight to you. Be sure to get a few of your favorites before they're gone.

March Plants

The latest shipment of plants from San Marcos Growers has arrived.

Agave victoriae-reginae "Albomarginata" - 5in

A prized succulent with deep green leaves bordered by broad white bands, growing up to 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. Native to Mexico, it thrives in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil in USDA zones 9a to 11b. This evergreen is popular for its ornamental value, both indoors and outdoors, but requires careful succulent care to avoid rot. Limited availability. Buy Agave "White Rhino"

 

Agave potatorum "Kichiokan Marginata" - 5in

The Dwarf Variegated Butterfly Agave is a small succulent from Mexico prized for its compact rosette form and variegated leaves. Growing under a foot tall and 1-2 feet wide, it has gray leaves edged in pale yellow with red spines. It thrives in full sun to light shade, well-drained soil, and is slow-growing, making it ideal for rock gardens or containers. Buy Agave potatorum "Kichiokan Marginata"

 

 

Aloe "Birds and Bees" - 7ga

Aloe "Birds and Bees" is a large succulent native to South Africa, valued for its striking appearance and bicolored flowers. Growing up to 6 feet tall and wide, it features rosettes of gray-green leaves, which can be pruned to resemble a small tree. Blooming in mid-winter, its inflorescences bear dark orange buds opening into yellow flowers. Thrives in full sun to light shade. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe "Birds and Bees"

 

Aloe "Brown Betty" - 1ga

A hybrid succulent from Madagascar, features reddish-brown leaves with cream spots, transitioning to mid-green with retained spots. Flowering in spring and fall, it produces salmon-colored flowers with green petal tips. Developed by Karen Zimmerman, it's a cross between Aloe 'KG# 5' and 'Aumakua Mano'. Thriving in cool sun to light shade, it requires low water and is moderately frost-tolerant, primarily grown for ornamental purposes. Buy Aloe "Brown Betty"

 

 

Aloe "David Verity" - 3ga

A robust hybrid reaching up to 6 feet tall and wide. It has silver-blue leaves turning reddish near the tips. In mid to late winter, it blooms with branching bicolored flower spikes. Introduced in 2001, its parentage is speculated to be a cross between Aloe arborescens and Aloe × principis. Thriving in full sun to light shade, it's drought-tolerant and hardy down to 25°F, suitable for landscaping. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe "David Verity"

 

 

Aloe eminens "Koko Crater" - 2ga

A tree aloe native to Somalia, Africa, known for its erect trunk and rosettes of narrow, slightly recurved leaves. Reaching 10-16 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, it blooms with deep rose-colored flowers in late fall and winter. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it's hardy down to 30-32°F, attracting wildlife and prized for its ornamental value. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe eminens "Koko Crater"

 

 

Aloe glauca "Namaqualand" - 2ga

Aloe glauca "Namaqualand", or Namaqualand Blue Aloe, is a South African perennial succulent forming rosettes on a short trunk, growing 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Its nearly white leaves with faint green lines reach around 10 inches long and slightly recurve. Flowering from late fall to spring with salmon-colored flowers, it attracts hummingbirds and insects. Thriving in sunny locations with low water needs, it's suitable for xeriscapes and containers, tolerating temperatures down to 15-20°F. Buy Aloe glauca "Namaqualand"

 

Aloe greenii - 3ga

Aloe greenii, or Icena, is a South African evergreen succulent prized for its blue-green foliage and pink flowers blooming in summer and fall. It forms dense rosettes with lance-shaped leaves and pinkish-brown teeth along the margins. Its inflorescences produce dusty-pink flowers, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall. Thriving in sun or light shade, it prefers well-drained soil, tolerating drought and temperatures down to the mid-20s°F, suitable for Zones 10a to 12. Buy Aloe greenii

 

Aloe mitriformis - 3ga

Aloe mitriformis, now Aloe perfoliata, is a robust succulent native to South Africa, forming clumps of rosettes with thick, bluish-green leaves that curve inward, resembling a mitre. It produces striking red tubular flowers in summer. Thriving in well-drained soil and full sun, it's drought-tolerant but susceptible to pests. Best for rock gardens, it adds interest with vibrant flowers and spiky foliage. Buy Aloe mitriformis

 

Aloe nobilis - 1ga

Aloe nobilis, known as the 'Gold Tooth Aloe,' is a small clumping succulent reaching 18 inches tall, with rosettes up to 5-6 inches wide. Its green leaves feature white or golden teeth along the margins, turning orange in full sun. It produces offsets prolifically, forming large colonies. Bright orange inflorescences attract hummingbirds in mid-summer. Thriving in filtered light and well-drained soil, it's versatile for landscaping and container gardening. Buy Aloe nobilis

 

Aloe "Malibu Peach" - 5ga

A South African hybrid, grows densely to 4-5 feet in height and width, with 18-inch-wide rosettes of pale green leaves tinged with red. In late fall to mid-winter, it blooms creamy flowers from peach-colored buds on unbranched stems. Thriving in full to part sun, it's drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Suitable for USDA zones 9-11, it's ideal for rock gardens and containers. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe "Malibu Peach"

 

 

Aloe "Yemeni Gold" - 5ga

Aka the Yemen Bush Aloe, is a medium-sized Aloe sabeae hybrid. It forms clumps of rosettes with long, narrow, green leaves edged with large teeth. In mid-spring, it blooms large golden flowers on well-branched stems. Thriving in full sun and low water, it's hardy in USDA zones 9-11, suitable for sunny borders or succulent gardens, adding visual interest with its golden flowers and foliage. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe "Yemeni Gold"

 

Aloe reitzii - 3ga

A stemless species from South Africa's grasslands, forms a single rosette up to 3 feet tall with silvery blue-green leaves edged in reddish teeth. Slow-growing, it takes 5-10 years to bloom in summer, producing dark red to orange-red flowers on tall stems. Resilient to frost, it distinguishes itself with its summer flowering habit and adds vibrant color to gardens or containers. Buy Aloe reitzii

 

 

Aloe Superman - 5ga

Aloe 'Superman' is a large hybrid from South Africa, known for its striking red tubular flowers in winter. Growing 3 to 4 feet tall, it has lanceolate green leaves with red-orange tint and teeth along the margins. Blooming profusely, it thrives in full sun with low water needs, adding vibrant color to gardens and containers, tolerant of temperatures down to 20-25°F. Available for pickup or local delivery only. Buy Aloe "Superman"

 

Aloe "Topaz" - 2ga

Aloe Topaz, also Blooming Aloe, is a vigorous succulent from South Africa, featuring narrow leaves edged with light-colored teeth and salmon pink flowers. Growing 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, it blooms from mid-summer to fall. Thriving in full sun to part shade, it requires occasional watering. Hardy down to 25-30°F, it's suitable for mass plantings or containers, offering striking structure year-round. Buy Aloe "Topaz"

 

February Plants

Here's what was in the February 2024 shipment from San Marcos Growers:

Aloe albiflora (1ga)
Aloe albiflora, also known as White-flowered Aloe, is a petite, stemless succulent forming small clusters. Its narrow, dark green leaves, marked with white spots and fringed with tiny teeth, create an eye-catching texture. In favorable conditions, it blooms year-round, with bell-shaped, translucent white flowers tinged with pink. Buy Aloe albiflora Now

 

Aloe barberae (5ga)
Aloe barberae, also known as Aloe bainesii, is a majestic tree Aloe that can reach heights of over 30 feet. Its thick, mottled gray stems give rise to rosettes of dark green leaves. In late winter, rose-pink flowers bloom above the foliage. Drought-tolerant and hardy, it's perfect for Mediterranean climates. Originating from southern Africa, it's ideal for succulent gardens and can thrive in large containers. Buy Aloe barberae Now

 

Aloe capitata var. quarziticola (1ga)
Aloe capitata var. quartziticola has Compact, stemless rosette with 2" wide, blushed gray-green leaves, edged in red with small brown teeth. Mid-winter brings 3' tall inflorescences topped with orange-yellow bell-shaped flowers. Hardy to 25°F, thrives in well-drained soil under full to part sun. Originates from Madagascar's Central Highlands on quartzite soils. Buy Aloe capitata quartzicola Now

 

Aloe 'Carpinteria Gem' (3ga)
A robust, branching shrub reaching 4-5 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. Its gray-green leaves arch gracefully, adorned with pale teeth along the edges. In late winter to mid-spring, enjoy its striking two-toned flowers in tall racemes. Thrives in full sun to light shade, well-drained soil, and requires minimal watering. Hardy to at least 25°F, proven resilient even in freezing conditions. This exceptional hybrid, possibly a cross between Aloe lutescens and Aloe arborescens, is named in tribute to Carpinteria, California. Buy Aloe "Carpinteria Gem"  Now

 

Aloe 'Hellskloof Bells' (2ga)

Reaching about 2 feet tall. Its lanceolate gray-green leaves turn maroon in sunlight, complementing pendent tubular flowers transitioning from pink to soft pastel orange. Hardy to 20°F, it thrives in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Hybridized by Brian Kemble in 1991, it combines the beauty of Aloe pearsonii from South Africa's Richtersveld with the resilience of Aloe mitriformis from the Western Cape. Ideal for garden beds or potted displays. Buy Aloe "Hellskloof Bells" Now

 

Aloe inermis (2ga)
Also known as Toothless Aloe, is a compact shrub forming clumps up to 2 feet tall. Its slender, curved olive-green leaves lack teeth along the margins. In fall to winter, it produces tall branching inflorescences with salmon-red buds opening to cream-striped petals. Native to western Yemen, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, enduring drought and temperatures down to 25°F. This unique Aloe, devoid of sharp appendages, makes an attractive addition to gardens or containers. Its Latin epithet, "inermis," translates to "unarmed," reflecting its smooth leaf edges. Buy Aloe inermis Now

 

Aloe lukeana (5ga)
Also known as Luke's Aloe, boasts a striking solitary growth habit with a rosette spanning 3-4 feet wide. Its dark green leaves, measuring 2 feet long by 4 to 5 inches wide, feature large, evenly spaced light-colored teeth. This plant produces red to orange flowers in late summer, emerging from erect conical racemes atop a multi-branched inflorescence rising just above the foliage. While cultural information is limited due to its novelty in cultivation, it thrives in full to part sun with occasional to infrequent irrigation. For pickup only. Buy Aloe lukeana Now

 

Aloe rupestris (5ga)

Commonly known as Bottlebrush Aloe, exhibits moderate growth with offsetting shrubby forms in cultivation, reaching up to 8 feet tall. Its smooth, deeply channeled leaves boast reddish-brown teeth along the margins. In late winter, it flaunts stunning candelabra-like inflorescences with bright yellow buds bursting into orange-red stamens. Hardy to 25°F, this South African native thrives in full sun with occasional to regular irrigation. Its resemblance to Banksia flowers during bloom makes it a standout choice for any garden. Native to rocky habitats, it adapts well to well-draining soils, showcasing resilience and beauty year-round. Buy Aloe rupestris Now

 

Aloe succotrina (5ga)

Also known as Table Mountain Aloe, forms dense clusters with short trunks, typically reaching 3 to 4 feet in height. Its rosettes boast upcurved, gray-green leaves adorned with white spots, margins, and teeth, often tinged with purple. In mid to late winter, vibrant orange-red flowers emerge on unbranched spikes, adding further allure. Thriving in California's Mediterranean climate, this resilient species requires minimal irrigation and fares well in full sun to light shade. Cold hardy down to 20°F, it showcases its beauty year-round, making it an excellent choice for gardens and containers alike. Native to the Western Cape's fynbos region, it flourishes in rocky habitats from Table Mountain slopes to coastal cliffs near Hermanus. Buy Aloe succotrina Now

 

Aloe tororoana (2ga)
Also known as the Tororo Rock Aloe, this petite clustering aloe reaches about a foot in height. Its light blue-green leaves, adorned with white spots underneath, form open rosettes with prominent teeth along the edges. Freely flowering from early fall to winter, it produces glossy, red-orange blossoms on slender, upright racemes up to 18 inches tall. Originates from the Tororo district in southeastern Uganda. Buy Aloe tororoana Now

 

Aloe 'Verity Nice' (2ga)

A compact clustering succulent, reaching 12-18 inches tall. Its lance-shaped green leaves feature decorative zigzagging horizontal bands of spots, reddish-brown toothed margins, and red highlights in full sun. It produces bright yellow flowers on 2-foot tall branched inflorescences throughout the year. Hardy to temperatures as low as 25°F, it thrives in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Developed from a cross between Aloe sinkatana and Aloe peckii, this cultivar, named to honor its breeder, boasts year-round attractiveness with its spotted foliage. Buy Aloe 'Verity Nice' Now

 

Aloe tongaenesis 'Medusa' (7ga)

 A medium-sized tree aloe reaching heights of over 9 feet. It features slender, pale green leaves that may turn orange in California's warmer months. Its flowering stem emerges in late fall to early winter, showcasing clusters of pale orange buds that bloom into salmon-colored flowers. This variety, technically a form of Aloe barberae, has been affectionately named 'Medusa' by enthusiasts due to its distinct branching pattern and unique flower color. For pickup only. Buy Aloe tongaenesis 'Medusa' Now