Aloe arborescens "Lutea" - 15ga

Aloe arborescens ‘Lutea’ is a yellow-flowered form of the widespread Torch Aloe, growing as a medium-sized, multi-stemmed succulent shrub that typically reaches about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. It forms dense clusters of rosettes roughly 18 inches across, each composed of narrow, recurved leaves with small, soft marginal teeth and foliage that ranges from dull green to yellowish blue-green depending on exposure. The plant blooms from late fall into early winter, producing unbranched flower stalks that rise about 2 feet above the foliage and carry tightly packed yellow tubular flowers, a notable color shift from the red blooms typical of the species but with the same winter flowering period. Native Aloe arborescens populations span a broad range across southern Africa—from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi to eastern and southwestern South Africa—occupying habitats with mixed rainfall patterns and adapting well to Mediterranean climates. The cultivar ‘Lutea’ has been present in California horticulture since at least the late 1990s and maintains the general hardiness and drought tolerance of the species, performing well in full sun near the coast or in light shade inland with minimal irrigation once established. Hardy to roughly 20–25°F, it suits USDA Zone 9b and warmer. In gardens it functions as an evergreen structural shrub and reliable winter bloomer for coastal, Mediterranean, and water-wise landscapes, fitting well into mixed succulent plantings or serving as a standalone accent.