Plant Library

Other Names:  Suzanne Aloe

Description:

A very slow growing variety with long, rounded, narrow blue-green leaves, sometimes flushed with pink; produces tall spikes of fragrant cream bells with yellow stamens, that open at night; endangered in the wild, and very rarely found in cultivation

Ornamental Features

Malagasy Tree Aloe features dainty racemes of fragrant creamy white bell-shaped flowers with yellow overtones rising above the foliage from late fall to late winter. Its attractive succulent sword-like leaves remain bluish-green in color with hints of salmon throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Malagasy Tree Aloe is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Malagasy Tree Aloe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Malagasy Tree Aloe will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity extending to 15 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 5 feet. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Malagasy Tree Aloe is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.