Aloe ukambensis - 4in

Note: this wont ship well in temps below 30 degrees F. if you live in a cold climate it is best to wait until Spring.

Aloe ukambensis is a medium-sized, mostly stemless aloe native to the highlands of southeastern Kenya, grown for its boldly striped foliage and compact red flower clusters that appear in fall. In cultivation it forms solitary to slowly clumping rosettes typically 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, though some plants remain smaller, with upright to slightly incurved, lance-shaped leaves that are broad at the base and marked with numerous, closely spaced longitudinal stripes on a pale olive-green to glaucous background. The leaf margins are armed with prominent, sharp teeth, giving the plant a distinctly armored appearance, and when grown in full sun or under dry conditions the foliage can develop deep red to burgundy tones, especially toward the leaf tips, enhancing contrast with the natural striping. Flowering usually occurs from October to November in mild climates, with a branched inflorescence rising above the rosette and terminating in dense, capitate clusters of red flowers; buds are pointed at first and become more rounded as they open, with flowers often hanging slightly as they mature, creating a form that contrasts with the elongated racemes of many other aloes. The species is endemic to granite and gneiss outcrops in the former Ukambani region of Kenya at elevations of roughly 1,700 to 4,600 feet, and remains uncommon in cultivation, with most plants in gardens derived from seed-grown or tissue-cultured material. It performs best in full sun in gritty, well-drained soil, with occasional to infrequent irrigation and dry winter conditions once established. Cold tolerance is not fully established, but it should be considered frost sensitive, with damage likely near 30°F and protection advised where freezing temperatures are common. Aloe ukambensis is best used as a specimen in dry gardens, large containers, or specialty succulent plantings, where its dramatic striping, seasonal color changes, and fall flowers can be appreciated away from foot traffic due to its sharp armament.

This plant has been grown in a 4" pot. You will receive a very similar plant to the one in the picture. The plant is shipped "dry-root" (without soil).